Lionel Messi scores the fastest goal of his career as the Argentine star finds the net in just 80 seconds after clashing with Australia following his mega-money move to Inter Miami
Lionel Messi needed just 80 seconds to get on the scoresheet as the Argentine star scored a stunning goal for his country against Australia – the fastest goal of his richly decorated career.
Messi, who set foot on the field for the first time since moving to MLS side Inter Miami, penalized the Socceroos for giving him a meter of space on the perimeter of the area and finished low passed by Mat Ryan.
It was a textbook finish for the 35-year-old and the fastest goal he has scored in his career. He beat the 127 seconds it took him to find the net for Barcelona against Chelsea in their 2018 Champions League tie.
Argentina are on a post-season tour of Asia and have lined up a strong squad to take on the side they knocked out in the last 16 of the World Cup, which they won in Qatar.
The world champions will face Indonesia on Monday in Jakarta.
Lionel Messi scored his fastest career goal in Argentina v Australia in China
Messi arrived in the Far East after waving goodbye to Paris-Saint Germain following his two-year stay in the French capital.
He struggled to settle in France after spending 21 years in Spain, while his superstar partnership with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar failed to have the desired effect and PSG were unable to challenge for the Champions League.
Messi was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema practice their trade, as well as a return to Barcelona, but opted for the United States instead.
In a statement with Mundo Deportivo, he said: “I’m not going back to Barca, I’m going to Inter Miami.”
“I’ve made the decision that I’m going to Miami. I still haven’t closed it one hundred percent. I miss some things, but we decided to continue on the same path. If the Barcelona thing didn’t come out, I wanted to leave Europe, step out of the limelight and think more in my family.”
Messi, who turns 36 at the end of this month, had all but ruled out a move to the US after his family set their sights on a return to Barcelona, but that became impossible due to the club’s financial situation – and the player has decided to accept Miami’s offer in lieu of the astronomical sums proposed by Al-Hilal.
The family already has a home in Miami and a move there won the Saudi deal that would have been worth more than $214 million season over two campaigns and the option of a third year.
The Inter Miami star found the back of the net after just 80 seconds on Thursday