Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has one lasting memory from Lionel Messi's debut: the image of Messi running to embrace his family after delivering the game-winning free kick and cementing a new era for the club and Major League Soccer.

"That was for the fans. This community is hungry," Mas said.

Messi's follow-up performance Tuesday night against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup showed the impact that one player - the right player - can have on an entire club.

Messi scored twice and had an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the first such lead in club history.

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

"There's going to be a before and after Messi in football for this country," Mas said.

In the eighth minute, Messi took a pass from his longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged forward and sent a strike off the right post before tapping in his own rebound. Then, in the 22nd minute, Messi put Miami ahead 2-0 off a pass from Robert Taylor.

Messi came off the bench in the 54th minute Friday night in Miami's first Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul. And he provided a moment fans had hoped for when the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion for Argentina decided to take his talents to MLS. Messi converted the game-winning free kick in stoppage time in front of a crowd estimated at 21,000.

Deandre Yedlin had placed the skipper's armband on Messi when he checked in on Friday, but Messi entered Tuesday's match wearing the armband just below his right shoulder.

Midfielder Gregore had been the club's captain before suffering a foot injury in March.

With Messi rightly commanding much of the attention from Atlanta's defenders, opportunities opened for other Miami players. Taylor scored in the 44th minute, then made it 4-0 in the 53rd after being set up by Messi.

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

A fan got onto the field as Messi was exiting. The fan sprinted all the way toward Miami's bench wear Messi stood before Miami coach Tata Martino grabbed the attention of security. The fan was then escorted off the field.

Source-Marca

For the first time in Inter Miami's history, they have a three-goal lead at halftime.

The Leo Messi effect 🐐

Not a great time to be a Ronaldo fan

Robert Taylor playing like prime Robert Lewandowski

🐐 EFFECT!

"Leo Messi gifted all the players 'pink and black Beats by Dre headphones' after his first game with the team" - DeAndre Yedlin :

sounwave:
Not a great time to be a Ronaldo fan

I don’t envy them, as usual dem go scream scripted taya!!!

Messi is a Greatest Of All Times GOAT...

The other eediot na Asun Goat

Nice one from GOF & Lionel of the tribe of soccer.

Wittyness

Seconded

sounwave:
Not a great time to be a Ronaldo fan

Robert Taylor playing like prime Robert Lewandowski

🐐 EFFECT!

Watch the INCREDIBLE MESSI MAGIC! 🔥🏆 | Unforgettable Showdown: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United 4-0 | 2023 Highlights & All Goals 🎯⚽


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYbzFnKFvfI

Prepare to witness the footballing spectacle of a lifetime! 🤩🌟 In a jaw-dropping display of talent, Messi takes the stage and delivers a mesmerizing performance that will leave you breathless! 🌪️⚡
🎯 Two unbelievable goals and one jaw-dropping assist, as Messi single-handedly dismantles the opposition and elevates his team to an extraordinary 4-0 victory! 🚀⚽
The GOAT has unleashed his full power, showcasing breathtaking skills, unrivaled finesse, and a passion that ignites the hearts of fans worldwide! 🔥🐐

Ronaldo's fans said Messi in not known in America. America that is the centre of the world, America that had all Media outlet broadcasting the world cup..



Someone that lifted the biggest sport competetion's trophy, the World Cup is not known in America of all places?



By the ways who are the celebrities in Saudi Arabia.. can anyone mention one of their musician or actor



Messi's second goal is the most watched live event in US history..



He's has come, he's seeing and he has already conquered..



Who God has Blessed no Ronaldo fan can curse

ronaldo fans have to be waking up every morning to see messi scoring and assisting ...beckham should add alba and suarez asap

Leo Messi becomes the first soccer player ever to scored against 100 different teams, and assisted against 111 teams



Messi has faced 115 teams in his career so far, still counting.

internationalman:
Ronaldo's fans said Messi in not known in America. America that is the centre of the world, America that had all Media outlet broadcasting the world cup..



Someone that lifted the biggest sport completion's trophy, the World Cup is not known in America of all places?



By the ways who are the celebrities in Saudi Arabia.. can anyone mention one of their musician or actor



Messi's second goal is the most watched live event in US history..



He's has come, he's seeing and he has already conquered..



Who God has Blessed no Ronaldo fan can curse

They are the dumbessst fanbase ever

Tapnaldo fans rite now. Looking for anoda lie or conspiracy theory to conjure. Confused camp. Some may even say Messi and fifa bribe d keeper.


The name is Lionel Messi - the best football player of all time.

GOAT will continue to pepper pendulums perpetually till they tap out.

Messi unveils new goal celebrations

Penadogs una no go rest on this forum, we will keep pressing una necks and hopefully it snaps 😂😂

ThierryJay:
GOAT will continue to pepper pendulums perpetually till they tap out.

dem never see anything

Messi d undisputed GOAT of football.
The ONLY world champion to have completed football.

Almiron:
dem never see anything

Its gonna be a very long 2 or 3 years for them bro.

ThierryJay:


It’s gonna be a very long 2 or 3 years for them bro.

I tell you bro. We will keep pressing their necks.

Most Penaldians rabid dogs have all disappeared. Wetin happen? Isn't it too early? because Balon d'Or is around the corner.

Messi is like a porn movie, everybody likes it but in public they deny it." -Jose Mourinho

Busquets: “Leo Messi and I understand each other just by looking at each other.”

wwe

It's like they don't have good defenders in that league

Osimhen would be scoring more than 50 goals per season if he goes there then

Goat no doubt.


But 7 will always be the number.

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Messi we need 10 Ballon d'Or then you can rest!