Lionel Messi has had a blistering start to life for Inter Miami in MLS.
After scoring a magical free kick in his debut off the bench to win his team their opening Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul, he has continued the form in their second match in the Leagues Cup against Atlanta United.
He scored two goals after just 14 first-half minutes to put Inter Miami up early over their MLS rivals. That's three goals for Messi in just 58 minutes of playing time.
The Sporting News breaks down the two goals he scored against Atlanta United in a red-hot first half performance. Messi also made a key pass on his team's third goal, and then had the assist on the fourth.
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Maestro at work. ✨ pic.twitter.com/ruUVNTHY2O
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
Watch Lionel Messi two goals vs Atlanta United
Lionel Messi scored his first goal against Atlanta United after just eight minutes, and it was a connection with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets that made the goal happen.
Busquets sent a beautiful long ball upfield that caught the Atlanta defense out, and Messi was able to get on the end of it and run at goal. While his initial shot came off the post, the rebound fell kindly to him and he tapped home into an empty goal.
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 25, 2023
Leo Messi scores his second for @InterMiamiCF in as many games! pic.twitter.com/e3RVVpWTlT
For the second goal, Messi picked up the ball on the halfway line and made a piercing run at the Atlanta defense. He laid the ball off to winger Robert Taylor, who expertly cut the ball back with a sliding first-time pass straight into the path of Messi
Messi then side-footed it with his weaker right foot, applying a first-time finish into the bottom corner of the net.
GO OFF, LEO MESSI.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
A 20-minute brace for @InterMiamiCF's star man. pic.twitter.com/vzrDobOFRc
Messi's brace is also the first time he has scored a double with two right-footed goals in an official match since 2015.
2 - Messi 🇦🇷 hadn't scored an official right-footed brace since 2015 when he netted twice against Levante in LaLiga while playing for Barcelona. Skillful. pic.twitter.com/xpCmTlOO7F
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) July 26, 2023
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Lionel Messi goal highlights for Inter Miami
Messi scored on his debut for Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21, and it was fittingly dramatic for the legendary soccer player.
He stepped up to take a free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the match, and as he has done so many times before, he curled an inch perfect free kick into the top left corner of the net, sending the fans and commentators into raptures.
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
The goal quickly went viral, being viewed over 54 million times on the official MLS Twitter handle.
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Lionel Messi's next match for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi's next match for Inter Miami will come in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 between August 2-4.
They will hope to continue to advance in the Leagues Cup through to the final on Saturday, August 19.
Their next MLS league match comes on August 21, when Messi's Inter Miami side faces off against Charlotte FC at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi and Busquets will look to push Miami out of last place in the Eastern Conference as they begin a desperate push for ninth place and the last playoff spot in the East.
