Lionel Messi has already started proving his worth in his new Inter Miami club when he scored two goals and gave one assist in their 4-0 victory against Atlanta United.
“My expectations were obviously really high. But he’s even passed my expectations,” Inter Miami defender Noah Allen said. “It’s really beautiful to see him play. He just makes it easy for everyone, and it’s so awesome to watch in the game.”
Messi and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, were in Inter Miami CF’s starting lineup Tuesday night at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the first time since joining the MLS side.
It wasn’t long for the two to work together when Busquets lofted the ball over Atlanta’s defense to Messi. Messi missed his first attempt but was quick to put back the rebound and gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute.
“So many years playing together, so it’s very easy to play with him,” Busquets said. “I’m so happy to be by his side.”
Messi scored the second goal after a counterattack in the 22nd minute to double the margin with an assist from Robert Taylor, who scored Miami’s third to give the team a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Taylor then scored the fourth and final goal for Miami in the second half after getting an assist from Messi.
Messi got an ovation from the home crowd when he was substituted in the 78th minute. Busquets was also taken off the match and was replaced by Victor Ulloa, six minutes earlier.
“It was a good performance and I’m pleased we were able to make our fans happy. A very good game and we took another step in the right direction,” Miami manager Gerardo Martino said.
Miami swept its group and moved on to the round of 32 in the Leagues Cup, in which it will host an opponent yet to be determined.
Atlanta became the 100th club that Messi has scored against.
Messi and Busquets made their first appearance for Inter Miami on Friday when they came in as substitutes in the match against Cruz Azul.
Martino had also managed both players for a season at Barcelona.
“These two players are so good at what they do, they create space,” Martino said.
“Since those two have gotten here, the spirit has changed,” Miami right-back DeAndre Yedlin added about the two. “Obviously, guys are really excited. But I think just their presence gives everybody more confidence. And I think also the teams that we’re playing against now have a bit of fear in their eyes. When those two are on the field, you know you’re in for a tough game.”
Martino had previously managed Cruz Azul and led the club to the MLS Cup title in 2018. The Inter-Miami coach also confirmed that Lionel Messi will become the captain of the team.
“I think the fans respond according to what they see and what the team transmits to them. Many come to see Lionel. Celebrities and regular fans. He stands out but he can also spread that support from the fans to the rest of the team,” Martino said.
“I didn’t really notice”, Martino said about fans leaving in large numbers when Messi was substituted out of the game. “The type of player he is, Messi is a global star, some fans might only be here to see him, but he would prefer if the fans would stay until the end to applaud the team, but I can also understand it.”