Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami debut played out like a proper movie. The Argentine made his first appearance for The Herons in front of a sold-out home crowd. And in true Messi fashion, he capped it off with a clutch free-kick to secure the win for his side. As remarkable as his debut was, a rumor blemishing his goal has emerged online. It questions the capabilities of Andres Gudino, the opposition goalkeeper whose full-stretch effort failed to stop Messi’s precise strike.
Scored against Cruz Azul, the World Cup winner’s set-piece was vintage Lionel Messi. From the short run-up to the flight on the ball, fans have seen him score this kind of a free-kick on multiple occasions. Despite this, some users online seemed to believe that the goalkeeper could have done more. To reinforce their opinions, a rumor was started seemingly out of nowhere. It stated that Cruz Azul’s GK, Andres Gudino, works as a ‘part-time McDonald’s janitor in the favelas’.
This was the goalkeeper Messi scored his freekick against TF 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/rBra0eBBSV
— Aishwarya 🇮🇹 (@timesofball) July 22, 2023
Users online even went to the extent of forging a Wikipedia page to add some credibility to the rumor. Nevertheless, it remains entirely untrue. Gudino has been a professional Soccer player for nearly eight years, playing for five different teams at various points in his career. Needless to say, there is no evidence suggesting that the keeper moonlights at a McDonald’s in any capacity. As for Messi, the forward will return to action on July 26, with Inter Miami facing off against Atlanta United.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut goal vs. Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal for Al-Nassr
While they may not be operating at the summit of European soccer anymore, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain tightly locked in the GOAT debate. Following Messi’s debut heroics, a comparison between their respective debut goals is only natural, beginning with the Argentine’s sublime free-kick.
Good morning to everyone, *especially* Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/yO1aLRiZHe
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
With the score tied at 1-1, Messi took charge of a set piece in the very last minute of the game. Despite bearing the expectations of millions of fans, including those of the high-profile celebs seated in the stands, the forward made a match-winning free-kick seem far too easy. He connected cleanly with his left foot and watched on as the ball sailed into the goal. The moment is destined to be iconic forever, and it was certainly one for the history books.
Cristiano Ronaldo first goal for Al Nassr. pic.twitter.com/oRyeIUgtnR
— Cristiano Ronaldo News (@CRonaldoNews) February 3, 2023
In comparison, Ronaldo’s debut goal for Al-Nassr was relatively tame. The 38-year-old failed to score during his debut for the side. But it didn’t take long for the striker to open his account. He scored his first goal during a match against Al-Fateh with a penalty. While it didn’t have the glamour of a last-minute free-kick, his late penalty helped Al-Nassr from falling to defeat.