TAMPA, Fla. — After months of waiting, international soccer superstar Lionel Messi took to the pitch at Raymond James Stadium Friday night with his Inter Miami CF teammates for a friendly match.
While the focus was clearly on Messi, Inter Miami CF trailed for much of the second half. In added extra time, Fata Picault hit a right-footed shot from very close range to tie the game.
The tying goal came at 90 + 3 minutes, the last goal either team scored for the night. After 95 minutes of play, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
The game was played in front of at least 40,000 fans at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For Tampa, it was the latest in a series of major sporting events the city has hosted or will host, including the Super Bowl, CFP National Championship Game, Georgia vs. Florida, not to mention the Bucs.
The future of Rays baseball in St. Pete has businesses taking it game by game
"It's gonna be probably a 30% difference of more customers, and that's a big difference for small businesses," said Bill Georgiou, who has owned The Burg Bar & Grill on Central Avenue for 17 years.
