In his first game with Inter Miami, Lionel Messi scored twice in 23 minutes to lead his team to a 4-0 victory.
After coming off the bench to score a renowned free kick in Inter Miami’s victory over Cruz Azul on Friday, Messi was included in the starting lineup for the first time against Atlanta United on Tuesday.
Messi and Sergio Busquets, a seasoned teammate, teamed up on Tuesday, and Busquets lofted a pass over the top of the Atlanta defenders. Messi was able to score on his own rebound after the initial shot hit the post to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the team’s second Leagues Cup encounter.
A little while later, he made it 2-0, giving him three goals in just 58 minutes of play. Robert Taylor’s cross, which set up the ex-Barcelona player for his second of the day, provided the final touch.
Messi has quickly gotten used to life in Miami. While this is happening, the club is still very much a work in progress, with Jordi Alba leading a group of recent additions who will be joining in the next few days.
Miami will be anticipating the Leagues Cup knockout round, which will begin the first weekend in August.