Lionel Messi demonstrated his effect as a player on Wednesday morning against Atlanta United in the League Cup by scoring two more goals after his game-winning free kick.
Messi put up three goals in two games with two goals and an assist in his debut start for Miami.
Inter Miami led 3-0 at the interval for the first time in club history thanks to the World Cup champion from Argentina.
Miami eventually won 4-0. Many people in the audience were wearing Messi’s No. 10 shirt when he left the game in the 78th minute to a standing ovation.
In the eighth minute, Messi received a ball from longtime Barcelona colleague Sergio Busquets, charged forward, blasted a shot off the right post, and then tapped in the rebound on his own.
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
Messi then gave Miami a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute after receiving 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
As Atlanta’s defenders focused mostly on Messi, possibilities for other Miami players emerged. Following a Messi assist, Taylor scored in the 44th and 53rd minutes to make it 4-0.
Just below his right shoulder, Messi wore the armband to start the game.
Lionel Messi keeps it 💯 pic.twitter.com/zfk4Xtypbj
— ESPN (@espn) July 26, 2023
As Messi was leaving, there was also a fan invasion issue.
Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada, the two World champions. Via MLS.pic.twitter.com/6ufZyggz8I
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 26, 2023
The supporter ran all the way to Miami’s bench. As Messi approached Miami coach Tata Martino, security personnel focused on him. After that, the fan was led from the pitch.
