“How many eyes do you have?” - Nicolas Otamendi reacts to Lionel Messi’s ‘crazy’ goal for Inter Miami
Nicolas Otamendi was stunned by Lionel Messi's involvement in Inter Miami's second goal in a 2-0 MLS win against New York Red Bulls on Sunday (August 27).
The Argentine superstar, having played 10 games for his new club since July 22, was benched against NY Red Bulls. He came on in the 60th minute in place of Leonardo Campana to make his MLS debut with his team leading via Diego Gomez's 37th-minute opener.
Messi got fans off their feet in the 89th minute when he played a brilliant pass to Benjamin Cremaschi down the right flank. The American forward's run was a tough one to spot, but Messi played an incisive pass that tore through New York's defense.
Cremaschi instantly returned the favor, and the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner scored through a simple tap-in. Otamendi, who has played 82 times alongside the Inter Miami superstar for Argentina, was particularly fascinated by the quick 1-2 for the goal.
The SL Benfica captain commented in Messi's post-win Instagram post:
"How many eyes do you have boy? dejaaaaaa you went crazy 😄"
The former Barcelona superstar now has 11 goals and three assists in nine games across competitions for Vice City. The win also took Inter Miami off the foot of the MLS Eastern Conference.
They're now 14th — two points ahead of bottom-placed side Toronto with three games in hand.
Inter Miami boss confirms Lionel Messi will miss three games due to national team duty
Lionel Messi is a legend for Argentina. He has the most caps (175) and goals (103) in the history of La Albiceleste's national team and wants to continue building on those numbers.
After Inter Miami's win against New York Red Bulls, manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino confirmed that the 36-year-old will miss three MLS games due to national team duty (h/t @TomBogart on X):
"It’s something we have to get accustomed to. He’s going to miss at least 3 games — he’s going to get called up by his national team — & we need to keep winning."
Next month, Argentina play against Ecuador (September 8) and Bolivia (September 13) in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Around that time, Miami face Sporting Kansas City on September 10 before an away game against Atlanta United on September 17.
Four days after that game, Inter Miami host Toronto at the DRV PNK Stadium. Lionel Messi could return in time for the league game against Orlando City on September 25.