FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has one lasting reminiscence from Lionel Messi’s debut: the picture of Messi working to embrace his household after delivering the game-winning free kick and cementing a brand new period for the membership and Major League Soccer.

“That was for the fans. This community is hungry,” Mas mentioned.

Messi’s follow-up efficiency Tuesday night time towards Atlanta United within the Leagues Cup confirmed the influence that one participant - the best participant - can have on a complete membership.

Messi scored twice and had an help in his first begin for Miami, bringing his complete to 3 objectives in two video games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the primary such lead in membership historical past.

Miami went on to win 4-0. Messi exited within the 78th minute to a standing ovation, with many within the crowd sporting his No. 10 jersey.

“There’s going to be a before and after Messi in football for this country,” Mas mentioned.

In the eighth minute, Messi took a move from his longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged ahead and despatched a strike off the best publish earlier than tapping in his personal rebound. Then, within the twenty second minute, Messi put Miami forward 2-0 off a move from Robert Taylor.

Messi got here off the bench within the 54th minute Friday night time in Miami’s first Leagues Cup match towards Mexican membership Cruz Azul. And he supplied a second followers had hoped for when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion for Argentina determined to take his abilities to MLS. Messi transformed the game-winning free kick in stoppage time in entrance of a crowd estimated at 21,000.

Deandre Yedlin had positioned the skipper’s armband on Messi when he checked in on Friday, however Messi entered Tuesday’s match sporting the armband just under his proper shoulder.

Midfielder Gregore had been the membership’s captain earlier than struggling a foot harm in March.

With Messi rightly commanding a lot of the eye from Atlanta’s defenders, alternatives opened for different Miami gamers. Taylor scored within the forty fourth minute, then made it 4-0 within the 53rd after being arrange by Messi.

The former Barcelona captain had entered holding palms with the son of hip-hop artist DJ Khaled.

A fan bought onto the sphere as Messi was exiting. The fan sprinted all the best way towards Miami’s bench put on Messi stood earlier than Miami coach Tata Martino grabbed the eye of safety. The fan was then escorted off the sphere.

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