Kingston Peel, 11, and his 9-year-old brother, Wynn, got woken up early Friday at their home in the Bahamas. Their mother had a surprise for them.

In only a few hours, theyd fly to South Florida to see superstar Lionel Messi make his Major League Soccer debut with Inter Miami.

Were here to see Messi, Kingston and Wynn said in unison. They arrived at DRV PNK Stadium hours before Inter Miamis match against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.

And on Friday night, Messi gave an unforgettable thrill to fans young and old who witnessed his first game, converting a free kick from about 25 yards in the 94th minute to give his new team a 2-1 victory.

Troves of fans, some from as far away as Ecuador and Messis native Argentina, bounced around the outskirts of the stadium ahead of Messis debut. Some, like Kingston and Wynn, wore black-and-pink Inter Miami jerseys with Messis No. 10 on the back. Others wore the 36-year-olds Argentina jersey. Dozens stood in line for team gear. Even more waited to have their Messi flags and jerseys captured in a photo booth.

Kim Kardashian arrived at the stadium about an hour before the start of the match, with one of her children wearing Messis Inter Miami jersey. Serena Williams and LeBron James were there, too, and James greeted Messi before the game.

Its insane, said season ticket holder Christian Zinn, who lives in nearby Parkland and attended the match with his son, Oliver. We normally come a half hour before the game, and its like this. Not two hours before the game. We knew it was going to be crazy.

Messi and fellow newcomer Sergio Busquets checked into the game in the 54th minute, with phones out all around the stadium to capture the moment. Inter Miami led 1-0 at the time, but Cruz Azul tied it shortly after he checked in, setting up the incredible finish.

After months of speculation, Messi signed a 2 1/2-year contract with the team this past weekend. Tens of thousand of people showed up to see the team introduce Messi Sunday night. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said online video of the event was viewed 3.5 billion times.

Thats a gift that Leo has given the sport, Beckham said. Hes at the stage of his career where hes done everything that any soccer player can do in a sport. Hes one of the greatest players if not the greatest player to ever play that game.

Beckham, an English great who also came to MLS in 2007 after a long career in Europe, said Messis move has raised the bar for soccer in the United States.

When I went on the journey in 2007, and when I started my Miami journey ten years ago, my vision was exactly what we saw the moment that Leo announced, Beckham said. Thats what I wanted to see for the sport.

Miami native Carlos Fierro, who said hes been a Messi fan his whole life, said Messis arrival had a similar impact to James signing with the Miami Heat in 2010.

Its going to be very different because Messis that type of player. Hes going to bring the party, Fierro said. We saw it in the presentation how loud it got. Im expecting everything to be loud and fun. Just typical Miami style. (AP via VOA)

PHOTO: Lionel Messi fans from North Lauderdale, Fla., wait to enter the stadium before a League Cup soccer match between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul, Friday July 21, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) ASSOCIATED PRESS