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Dylan Hernández: It's clear Lionel Messi's magic is fading after young Galaxy expose Inter Miami star

Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times on

Published in Soccer

Lionel Messi looked washed up.

Until he didn't.

Intercepting a pass by Riqui Puig in the Galaxy's half of the field, Messi played a couple of successive one-twos with longtime partner Jordi Alba and slid into a slanted return pass to redirect it past goalie John McCarthy.

The packed house erupted with euphoria.

Never mind that visiting Inter Miami had just leveled the score. If only for an instant, the announced crowd of 27,642 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park watched the 36-year-old Messi perform the kind of sorcery that made him the most decorated player in the world's most competitive sport.

Messi's strike of lightning during the 1-1 draw might have minimized the importance of the preceding 91 minutes, but only temporarily.

 

At some point, Inter Miami will have to deal with the reality that was uncovered on Sunday night.

Messi is old.

Luis Suarez is old.

Sergio Busquets is old.

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