Lionel Messi struck two goals in 22 minutes on his full debut as Inter Miami thumped Atlanta United 4-0.
The Argentina talisman bagged two early goals before teeing up team-mate Robert Taylor’s effort in the second-half of a comfortable Leagues Cup victory.
Messi toasted his second goal by turning to point at Inter Miami owner David Beckham in the crowd.
The 36-year-old announced himself to his new US employers last week with a stoppage-time free-kick to swipe a 2-1 win over Mexican side Cruz Azul.
Team-mate Taylor hailed Messi as the world’s best after the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest show of strength.
“He can do everything on the ball, he can keep it in tight spaces and he makes the right decision 100 per cent of the time,” said Taylor.
“He brings so much quality to the team, he’s the best player in the world.
“This is what he does, he scores two goals, he scored last game, gets another assist. It’s a dream come true to play with him.”
Messi racked up 672 goals in 17 seasons at Barcelona comprising of 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League triumphs, before moving to France in 2021.
The diminutive forward slotted 32 goals in 75 games for Paris Saint-Germain, ending last term with 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1 en route to his second top-flight title in France.
Messi only trained with his Miami team-mates for the first time last week, having moved to the US at the expiration of his PSG contract.
The 2022 World Cup winner set Miami rolling in the ninth minute, finishing at the second attempt, before doubling his new side’s lead just 13 minutes later.
Taylor claimed a third before the break, with Messi then teeing up the forward for his second after the interval.
