Two goals, an ass & a hug: Lionel Messi shines again in first Inter Miami start | Football News
Lionel Messi followed-up his match-winning free kick with two more on Wednesday morning against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup and showed how impactful a player he is.
Messi scored twice and carved an ass in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games.
Courtesy of the Argentine World Cup winner, Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead halftime, the first such lead in club hory.
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.
It all started in the eighth minute, when Messi took a pass from his longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged forward and sent a strike off the right post before tapping in his own rebound.
That Busquets > Messi link up play 😍
Lionel Messi makes it two goals in two gamespic.twitter.com/MYRNwukH0N
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) July 25, 2023
Then, in the 22nd minute, Messi put Miami ahead 2-0 off a pass from Robert Taylor.
LIONEL MESSI WITH HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE MATCH FOR INTER MIAMI! Via MLS.pic.twitter.com/itYUdcED4h
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 26, 2023
With Messi commanding much of the attention from Atlanta’s defenders, opportunities opened for other Miami players. Taylor scored in the 44th minute, then made it 4-0 in the 53rd after being set up Messi.
Messi also began the game wearing the armband just below his right shoulder.
Lionel Messi keeps it 💯 pic.twitter.com/zfk4Xtypbj
— ESPN (@espn) July 26, 2023
Meanwhile, there was also an incident of fan invasion as Messi was exiting.
Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada, the two World champions. Via MLS.pic.twitter.com/6ufZyggz8I
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 26, 2023
The fan sprinted all the way toward Miami’s bench wear Messi stood before Miami coach Tata Martino grabbed the attention of security. The fan was then escorted off the field.
