New Inter Miami star Lionel Messi impressed everyone in his brief yet successful MLS debut last week. He continued that ridiculous play with another excellent game in his second MLS game on Tuesday night.
Inter Miami took on Atlanta United FC on Tuesday, and Messi wasted no time in making his presence known yet again in this game.
He broke the scoreless tie with a goal in the eighth minute on an assist from his longtime teammate Sergio Busquets.
MESSI WITH HIS SECOND MLS GOAL! ⚽️🐐🔥pic.twitter.com/aowL6FuGD2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 26, 2023
He wasn’t done there as he scored his second goal of the first half in the 22nd minute.
MESSI SCORES *AGAIN*! ⚽️🐐🔥pic.twitter.com/B7YV4ORuH6
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) July 26, 2023
It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Inter Miami was going to win this game after Messi’s first-half goals. However, he added an assist on the stat sheet in the second half to cap off a 4-0 victory.
#InterMiamiCF are a PROBLEM.
Messi tees up Taylor to make it 4-0! #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/OHMmHSiW8i
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
Three goals and an assist is certainly one heck for Messi to start off his MLS career through two games, and fans are singing his praises on social media.
ROBERT TAYLOR AND LIONEL MESSI ARE COOKING! 4-0 INTER MIAMI! pic.twitter.com/RXqMGV1gpx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 26, 2023
Lionel Messi has turned the worst MLS team into one of the best overnight 🐐pic.twitter.com/BeCENCuJY4
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 26, 2023
Lionel Messi 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴!
A brace on his full debut for Inter Miami.pic.twitter.com/byCMe4u2im
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) July 26, 2023
Fans leaving after Messi was substituted.
Is there anyone bigger than Lionel Messi in World Football? We don't think so 🐐
— Max Stéph (@maxstephh) July 26, 2023
🚨 Lionel Messi has now scored his 810th career goal!
That’s 3 goals for Inter Miami so far! pic.twitter.com/7b2WRjLVfQ
— Exclusive Messi (@ExclusiveMessi) July 26, 2023
Messi’s impact on the field for Inter Miami is clearly a substantial one, but his impact on the MLS as a whole seems to be even greater. It can certainly be argued that fanfare around the league is now at an all-time high. If he continues to play like this, we may see more and more fans tuning in to watch him play.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.