Lionel Messi scored the game-winner in his Inter Miami CF debut last week against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, so it’s only fitting that in his first career start for the club on Tuesday night he would offer more heroics.
It didn’t take long for the Argentinian talent to send the fans at DRV PNK Stadium into a frenzy. Messi opened the scoring against Atlanta United FC in the 8th minute of the Group Stage League Cup matchup after receiving a beautiful pass from Sergio Busquets.
Messi’s initial blast hit the far post, but the star calmly gathered and buried his own rebound past Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
LIONEL MESSI ‼️
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 25, 2023
WHAT A START 🔥
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/HTzggJFEQT
Soccer fans would once again get to see the artist at work in the 22nd minute. After working his magic on a counter-attack, Messi played the ball off down the near side to his former Barcelona teammate Busquets, who made a diving pass back to Messi.
The slicked-footed Messi calmly received the return ball and buried it into the lower 90 past a sprawling Guzan from 11 yards out.
Inter Miami CF would go on to beat Atlanta United by a score of 4–0.
MESSI. AGAIN 🤯
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 26, 2023
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/QnVA6aAj00
