FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi’s first season with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer has officially come to an end.

Fans in attendance chanted “Vamos, Messi” (Let’s go, Messi) in the second half, and Messi had a chance to score a free kick from about 25 yards out to tie the match in the final seconds. His left boot sailed over the net on a rough day, where he missed on every chance he took. It was a rusty day on the pitch for the world’s greatest player.

NYCFC spoiled the night, winning the friendly 2-1, in the first match for both sides since their MLS regular seasons ended without playoff berths on Oct. 21.

This night wasn’t about the result as much as it was about celebrating Messi’s impact in his brief four months with the American soccer club.

“For me, it’s something amazing to share with you,” Messi said after carrying out his golden trophy, the eighth of his career – more than any other player.

“I’ve been here for a short period, but it feels like a long time. Like I said at the beginning, I never doubted we were going to enjoy our time here and now I have no doubts that next year it’s going to be even better.”

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas counted the days – 122 of them – since Messi, his wife Antonela, and their children landed at a small airport just yards from the club’s pitch.

Mas called Messi “the greatest player to ever live” and “the world’s greatest No. 10.”

“This football club was created on a dream, a dream that South Florida would house the greatest football team this country had ever seen,” Mas said. “It has been our aspiration and our goal, that when football is talked about in America, that people think and believe in Miami.”

Since Messi joined the club, Inter Miami’s popularity has risen exponentially, along with the sale of pink and black Inter Miami No. 10 jerseys and viewership on Apple TV worldwide.

Messi helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup title in August, the club’s first championship in its short history. Inter Miami finished second in the U.S. Open Cup, but failed to make the MLS postseason.

Messi scored 11 goals and assisted five more times in 14 appearances for Inter Miami, but the club finished its season winless in its last seven games (not including the friendly).

Even though Messi’s season did not end in a success for Inter Miami, it was a rousing one for MLS.

“You, Inter Miami fans, have the best player to ever play the game,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said during the celebration.

“Thank you, Lionel, for your belief in Major League Soccer and making your club and our league a league of choice.”

Messi will join Argentina for two more World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay in Buenos Aires on Nov. 16, and Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 21.

Messi isn’t expected to rejoin Inter Miami until they begin preparing for next season in January with an arduous schedule, highlighted by the CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and MLS season. Messi could also play in the Copa America tournament with Argentina next year, too.

“We are going to keep enjoying, keep winning titles and I hope you can support us like you have since I arrived,” Messi said. “It has been amazing and next year we have important tournaments to face together.”

Messi highlights: Read his speech to the fans

Here’s what Messi told Inter Miami fans before the game (translated through the team):

‘Good evening. First of all thank you, thank you for being here, thank you for this beautiful ceremony. To me, it is something very beautiful to share with you. I’ve only been here a little while but it really feels like I’ve been here a long time.

‘I want to thank all the people of Miami, not only the ones here at the stadium, but in the city in general, for the way you have treated not only me, but also my family these last few months. You’ve shown me a lot of love and made me feel at home. This is a city with a lot of Latinos, which makes me feel very comfortable, and we get along very well, so thank you very much.

‘Like I just said, we haven’t been together long but we already achieved something really important, which was the first title for this Club, for our Club. It is something very important because it’s what we came looking for, because we needed it as a club and we as players after how we were doing at the time. It’s something important for what is to come next year, because it gives us the possibility of playing in another important tournament (Concacaf Champions Cup). And as I said at the beginning, I had no doubt that we were going to have a good time, that we were going to enjoy it, and today I have no doubt, as I didn’t have at the beginning, and much less now, that next year is going to be a lot better.

‘We are going to continue enjoying, we are going to continue winning titles and I hope you accompany us as you accompanied us all these months that I’ve been here because the truth is that we need your support, it was something great to have you nearby. As I said before, next year we have important things coming and we have to do it together. Thanks a lot. Good night.’

Messi misses in 87: NYCFC 2, Inter Miami 1

Messi could only look toward the net in disbelief. This time, he tried to score with his right leg. And the result was the same as it’s been much of the night.

Messi’s kick sailed outside of the net in the 88th minute.

He’s going to likely play this entire friendly.

Robbie Robinson Goal: NYCFC 2, Inter Miami 1

Inter Miami is on the board.

Substitute Robbie Robinson scored with a left boot into the right side of the net in the 80th minute, and this game could see Messi play the distance.

With 10 minutes left, Messi could finish this match with hopes to deliver a highlight goal as he’s been pursuing much of the night.

Messi misses in 75’: NYCFC 2, Inter Miami 0

Messi was by himself and on the attack, but unable to provide fans with the magical moment they came and tuned into see in Friday night’s friendly.

Messi’s left boot was blocked by NYCFC goalie Matt Freese once again in the match.

Julián Fernández goal: NYCFC 2, Inter Miami 0

Messi’s first shot in the second half just skirted outside the left side of the net, but nearly curled into the net in the 52nd minute.

It only took two minutes into the second half for NYCFC to double its lead. Julián Fernández kicked a left footed shot from the center of the box into the top left corner of the net to give NYCFC a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute of Messi’s celebratory friendly.

Talles Magno, who scored the first goal, assisted on the second.

Messi is in the game, but how much longer he will play is the question in the second half of this one.

Talles Magno goal: NYCFC 1, Inter Miami 0 at halftime

It’s Messi’s night. But that isn’t stopping NYCFC from playing spoiler.

Talles Magno’s left boot in the 42nd minute gave NYCFC a 1-0 lead.

And the crowd has gone quiet here at DRV PNK Stadium just before halftime.

Messi’s best opportunity misses: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

Messi’s best opportunity came in the 27th minute, when he had a shot in point blank range – for him, at least.

Instead, Messi winded up falling on his backside after his attempt.

Messi got a pass inside the box and uncharacteristically mistimed how he would kick it into the net. It was almost like Messi scored the goal before he actually did.

He ended up on the pitch, and being helped up by the NYCFC goalie as the play continued – hey, it’s a friendly, after all.

Just before the 33rd minute, Messi had another shot that went sailing into the Inter Miami stands.

Messi misses his first two chances of the game: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

The fans noise crescendos every time Messi has touched the ball in this one.

Messi missed his first shot on goal in the 10th minute, a left boot that barely rose above the net and into the crowd. But the fans in attendance here are eager for a memorable goal they can capture with their phones.

About a minute later, Messi softly kicked a shot on goal, but the NYCFC goalie was able to dive and bat it away with his right hand. Messi grimaced after the missed opportunity.

In the 20th minute, Messi tried to navigate between at least six NYCFC defenders before a shot deflected off an opposing player and behind him.

Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup

Surprise, surprise. Of course, Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for a friendly honoring his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy on Friday night.

Here’s the starting lineup for Inter Miami:

Time, TV channel for Messi, Inter Miami match vs. NYCFC?

The match begins at 8 p.m., and will be broadcast on Apple TV.

Zidane says Messi is ‘pure magic’ in Adidas conversation

It turns out Zinedine Zidane did a little more than just check out Messi play during a September Inter Miami match.

Messi and Zidane sat together for an extended conversation, which was posted on the Adidas YouTube channel this week. And it’s a real treat for soccer fans.

“It’s a pity that we couldn’t play together,” Zidane told Messi. “This is the moment for me to pass you the ball.”

Zidane also said to Messi: “Today is a very important day for me because I can tell him how much I admire him… I think it is magic, pure magic.”

Watch the interview here:

Will Messi play in Inter Miami friendly?

Martino said Messi may not play the entire friendly against NYCFC.

“I am not sure if he will play the full 90 minutes, but he will play,” Martino said this week.

While the match serves as a final tune-up for Inter Miami’s offseason, it could also serve as preparation for two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches with Argentina later this month.

Inter Miami will honor Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or Award

The friendly against NYCFC, named Noche d’Or by the club, will see Messi honored on the field at 7:45 p.m. before play gets underway.

Messi, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas and MLS Commissioner Don Garber are expected to speak. Messi’s Ballon d’Or trophy will also be presented to the fans at DRV PNK Stadium.

What’s next for Messi?

Messi will join the Argentine national team for two more World Cup qualifying matches this month.

Argentina will play Uruguay in Buenos Aires Nov. 16, and Brazil at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro Nov. 21.

Now healthy with no Inter Miami matches, Messi could see significant playing time in both matches.

How did Messi look his last time out?

Messi was held scoreless but played the entire match in his last outing with Inter Miami, a 1-0 loss to Charlotte FC to end the MLS season Oct. 21.

But he returned to form in his most recent match with Argentina, where he scored two goals and played all 93 minutes in a match against Peru Oct. 17.

Messi was sidelined with a right leg injury that caused him to miss six Inter Miami matches in the final month of the MLS season.

Inter Miami friendly replaces China tour

Messi and Inter Miami were slated to travel and play two friendlies against Chinese super teams in China earlier this month, but their China tour was ultimately canceled.

Instead, they will end their 2023 campaign against NYCFC.

“We were really looking to have some friendly matches, but due to circumstances that didn’t depend on us, we could not go to China,” Martino said this week. “However, this is a good opportunity.”