Messi shines in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Atlanta United
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi wasted no time adapting to his new club and country as he led Inter Miami to a dominant 4-0 win over Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup. In his first start for the Florida-based team, Messi scored two goals and assisted another, bringing his tally to three goals in just 114 minutes since officially joining the club. He showcased his skill and precision by effortlessly receiving a pass from new teammate Sergio Busquets in the eighth minute and finding the back of the net.
Messi’s arrival in Miami was met with commercial success, but some doubts lingered about his sporting performance at the age of 36. However, his stellar debut against Mexican club Cruz Azul and his remarkable performance against Atlanta United quickly dispelled any concerns. He seamlessly integrated into the team, forming a formidable partnership with fellow newcomer Robert Taylor.
Just 14 minutes after his first goal, Messi capitalized on Taylor’s assist, securing his 810th career goal with a simple tap-in. Taylor’s generosity was rewarded when Messi returned the favor later in the game, assisting Taylor’s second goal. Messi’s night came to a triumphant close as he left the field to applause in the 78th minute, marking a successful performance that solidified his impact on and off the pitch.
The victory ensured Inter Miami’s qualification for the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup, a competition between MLS and Liga MX teams. However, despite this achievement, Inter Miami currently sits at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, with 12 points separating them from the final playoff spot. Nonetheless, with Messi and Busquets joining the team and coach Phil Neville being replaced by Tata Martino, Inter Miami hopes to turn their fortunes around when the regular season resumes on August 21.
Messi’s addition to the team has generated tremendous interest both on and off the field. A video clip of his goal against Cruz Azul garnered over 214 million views on Apple TV, and Inter Miami’s signing of Messi is expected to boost subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass streaming package. With approximately 1 million subscribers already, Apple anticipates a significant increase in numbers once Messi starts playing.
