Inter Miami bid farewell to their 2023 season by celebrating Lionel Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or win in a friendly match against fellow MLS club, New York City FC. This special event, named “Noche d’Or” or “Golden Night,” brought together fans and football enthusiasts to commemorate Messi’s incredible achievement. While the night was filled with festivity, it ended with a 2-1 loss for Miami against NYCFC. In this article, we’ll take you through the highlights of the match and the memorable Ballon d’Or celebration.

Messi’s Ballon d’Or Celebration: The DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale buzzed with excitement as Lionel Messi, the football legend himself, took the field. Fireworks illuminated the night sky, marking the beginning of a memorable evening. Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or, his unmatched skill and talent, was proudly displayed, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. No other player has achieved this feat more than five times, making Messi’s win truly historic.

The Match Highlights: Despite the festive atmosphere, the primary focus was on the match. Talles Magno of NYCFC opened the scoring late in the first half, setting the stage for an intense game. NYCFC’s teenager, Julián Fernández, added another goal early in the second half. Miami’s hopes were kept alive by substitute Robert Robinson, who netted a goal with ten minutes remaining. However, they were unable to salvage a draw, resulting in a 2-1 loss.

Messi’s Unexpected Full Match: Initially, it was not expected that Messi would play the full 90 minutes of the match, considering his upcoming international duties with Argentina. However, he surprised everyone by staying on the field for the entire game, even attempting to level the scores with a free kick in the dying moments.

Inter Miami had originally planned friendly matches in China to prepare Messi for international duty, but those were canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. This setback led to the creation of this special fixture to honor Messi’s Ballon d’Or win while staying close to home.