Inter Miami played an organized friendly vs. New York City FC on Friday to celebrate Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or. The game was dubbed the “Noche d’Or” but ended as a night of horror as NYCFC spoiled the night with a 2-1 win.
The festivities at DRV PNK Stadium started upbeat with Messi presenting his legendary eighth Ballon d’Or award to the fans.
Leo Messi presents the Ballon d'Or in front of Inter Miami's fans pic.twitter.com/NYM2aunk92
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 11, 2023
THE GR8TEST
Felicidades, Messi pic.twitter.com/xA0CniIBKU— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 11, 2023
With both Inter Miami and NYCFC eliminated from MLS playoff contention, the game had no stakes other than celebrating Messi. Inter Miami started the likes of Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba on Friday but couldn’t get the job done.
Shortly before halftime NYCFC forward Talles Magno opened the scoring to silence the home crowd.
La magia de @talles_magno2 #DaleNewYork pic.twitter.com/QXWLO19c7F
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) November 11, 2023
In the 48th minute Magno supplied an incredibly clever assist to Julián Fernández who scored a screamer into the upper 90. What a moment and goal for the 19-year-old Argentine.
Watch it again and again... pic.twitter.com/sxYdtlWf0T
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) November 11, 2023
Busquets assisted Robbie Robinson for a consolation goal in the 81st minute, but Inter Miami were unable to make the Noche d’Or a success. Messi had several big chances during the game but was unable to find the back of the net.
Busquets puts Robinson in behind the back line for our first goal of the night #MIAvNYCFC | 1-2 pic.twitter.com/ecfnXUYqla
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 11, 2023
Messi’s next action will be with Argentina for two big World Cup qualifying games against Uruguay and Brazil next week.
Inter Miami’s next competitive game won’t be until next season in 2024. Here were the full highlights from Friday’s action.
Inter Miami vs NYCFC full highlights
What went down in Florida #MIAvNYC pic.twitter.com/dOhZrSeKvI
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) November 11, 2023
