The renowned Argentine World Cup-winner earned his first start for Inter Miami after making a dramatic impact as a substitute in the previous match, where he scored a last-minute winner against Cruz Azul, a Mexican club.
Facing a Major League Soccer team for the first time, Messi proved to be a formidable force that Atlanta struggled to contain. He quickly developed a fruitful partnership with Finnish winger Robert Taylor, who also scored two goals for Miami.
The Leagues Cup is a prestigious tournament that brings together top-flight teams from both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. With two consecutive victories, Miami currently leads their group, and Messi’s seamless integration into the team has boosted their hopes of clinching their first-ever trophy.
Lisandro Flores, 3, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., sits on the shoulders of his dad Mauro before a Leagues Cup soccer match against Atlanta United, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Atlanta began the game with an aggressive high-line defensive approach, attempting to limit Messi’s space. However, this tactic backfired, as Miami skillfully exploited the gaps left behind. In the eighth minute, Messi capitalized on a precise long ball from his former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets, breaking free into the box and slotting home the rebound after his initial shot hit the post.In the 22nd minute, Messi doubled the lead, showcasing excellent teamwork with Robert Taylor, as they combined for the first of their three goals together. Taylor played a crucial role in setting up Messi’s second goal.Before the first half ended, Miami scored their third goal when Messi provided an assist to Benjamin Cremaschi, who cleverly fed the ball back to Taylor, enabling him to score from a tight angle with a powerful strike.In the second half, Miami caught Atlanta on the break, with Messi initiating the attack from deep in his own half and setting up Taylor for his second goal, drilling the ball into the net off the far post.
APInter Miami forward Lionel Messi warms up for the team’s Leagues Cup soccer match against Atlanta United, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Messi’s Impact
Miami’s impressive lead allowed their Argentine head coach, Gerardo Martino, to rest Busquets and eventually substitute Messi in the 78th minute. The arrival of Messi and Busquets has noticeably boosted the confidence of the entire team, transforming Miami’s performance on the field.
Gonzalo Pineda, Atlanta’s current boss and former MLS champion in 2018 under Martino, acknowledged that Miami was the superior team and praised Messi’s impact, highlighting that against players of his caliber, making mistakes could be costly.
Taylor also received praise for his brilliant positioning and runs, which were made possible by Messi’s presence on the field. The Finnish winger expressed his excitement about playing alongside Messi, emphasizing how the superstar’s abilities create space for his teammates and make dreams come true.
APInter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Atlanta United, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Martino, who coached Messi at Barcelona and the Argentine national team, noticed a new sense of freedom in Messi’s game since winning the World Cup last season. This liberation has translated into improved performances and a renewed enthusiasm for the sport.
Lionel Messi’s influence on Inter Miami has been immense, propelling the team to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup and providing a much-needed spark to transform their league performances. With Messi’s continued brilliance, Miami aims to secure their first-ever trophy in the tournament.
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