Match 2: The Messi Effect

07/26/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Inter Miami is Officially America’s Soccer Giant After Lionel Messi (2 Goals, 1 Assist) Sparks 4-0 Rout in 1st Full Game

Fans waited 94 minutes to see Lionel Messi find the net in last Friday’s debut. The wait wasn’t as long in his second showing, and Inter Miami is officially a force to be reckoned with in North American soccer. In Tuesday’s Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United FC, Messi scored two goals in the first 22 minutes of a masterclass performance. He added an assist early in the second half after a hockey assist late in the first, and Miami cruised to a 4-0 romp where Messi had a touch on every scoring play. Even though this was another Leagues Cup match, and not yet MLS regular season action, Atlanta is an MLS playoff team with a winning record. Inter Miami, the last-placed team in the MLS, just whooped a good club via the Messi effect. The GOAT now has three goals and one assist in two matches. The sky is the limit for Inter Miami.

Watch: Messi Strikes 2 Goals, 1 Assist in Inter Miami’s 4-0 Blowout

With the win, Inter Miami earned their way into the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup. Messi’s first MLS regular season game will be Aug. 20.

Miami Herald: Lionel Messi Changed Everything, Instantly. Nothing is Impossible Now for Inter Miami (Paywall)

Photo: Hector Vivas / Getty Images