He couldn’t have asked for a better start. Coming in the second half on his Inter Miami debut, Lionel Messi showed up with a last-minute free-kick to give his new team a valuable League Cup win over Cruz Azul. As soon as he entered the field, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner also inherited the captain’s armband.

Lionel Messi is the new captain of Inter Miami!

More than a symbolic act, it is the new responsibility of the Florida native of Rosario. According to reports from The Athletic, Messi is the new team captain as confirmed by Inter Miami coach Tata Martino. No surprise, but it should be noted that this is the first time since leaving FC Barcelona that “La Pulga” has worn the captain’s armband. A responsibility he never had to assume at PSG.