Former Barcelona and PSG forward Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami trash Atlanta United 4-0 in the USA on Wednesday.
Messi scored twice and had an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the first such lead in club history.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, wasted no time by scoring just nine minutes into his first Inter Miami start.
He scored his second goal of the game in the 22nd minute before assisting Ryan Taylor in the 53rd minute.
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“There’s going to be a before and after Messi in football for this country,” Mas said.
“With the type of player that he is, it’s justified that this happens,” Miami coach Tata Martino said. “I would have preferred that the public stayed and pay tribute to the entire team, but I can also understand it.”
Miami swept its group and moved on to the round of 32 in the Leagues Cup, in which it will host a to-be-determined opponent.
“Since those two have gotten here, the spirit has changed,” Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin said, referring to Messi and Busquets.
“Obviously, guys are really excited. But I think just their presence gives everybody more confidence. And I think also the teams that we’re playing against now have a bit of fear in their eyes. When those two are on the field, you know you’re in for a tough game.”
Watch Video below:
Busquets 🤝 Messi
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 25, 2023
Messi puts us in the lead early with his second goal for the Club 👏👏#MIAvATL | 1-0 | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/JZtEpe9Hfa pic.twitter.com/GKujBMsW1V
Taylor ➡️ Messi for his second of the night to double the lead in the 22nd minute 👏#MIAvATL | 2-0 pic.twitter.com/bVvzkLJdDA
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 26, 2023
Taylor bags a brace 2️⃣
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 26, 2023
Messi sets up Taylor for our FOURTH of the night 👏#MIAvATL | 4-0 pic.twitter.com/ssG8CyqXWu
Miami went on to win 4-0. Messi exited in the 78th minute to a standing ovation, with many in the crowd wearing his No. 10 jersey. Many also headed for the exits themselves once Messi was on the bench.
Two goals, an assist & a hug from Thiago Almada as he leaves the pitch.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
Another special night for Leo Messi. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/pIWu2uJaGz
Messi came off the bench in the 54th minute Friday night in Miami’s first Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul.
And he provided a moment fans had hoped for when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion for Argentina decided to take his talents to MLS. Messi converted the game-winning free kick in stoppage time in front of a crowd estimated at 21,000.
Yedlin had placed the skipper’s armband on Messi when he checked in on Friday, but Messi entered Tuesday’s match wearing the armband just below his right shoulder.
“He’s my teammate now. He’s our teammate,” Yedlin said. “He’s part of this team and he wants to win like everybody else. And he’s been a joy to be around, obviously not just on the field. He’s obviously an amazing talent but off the field he really helps a lot of the younger guys, even older guys like myself.”
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