Argentina legend Lionel Messi has enjoyed his start to life at Manchester United icon David Beckham’s MLS club
Lionel Messi has continued to impress for Inter Miami, bagging two goals in the first half of their clash with Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup.
The Argentina legend curled home a late free kick to clinch victory for the Herons in their opening group stage match of the competition against Cruz Azul. While not fit enough to start the game, new boss Gerardo Martino thrust both Messi and Sergio Busquets into his starting XI to face Atlanta on Tuesday.
Unsurprisingly, Messi made an almost immediate impact as he netted the opener just eight minutes in. One on one with the goalkeeper, the Argentine hero initially struck the post but was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Just after the 20 minute mark, the 36-year-old doubled his new team’s advantage. Robert Taylor cut the ball back into the box where Messi was lurking to side foot the ball beyond former Aston Villa shot stopper Brad Guzan.
For Manchester United icon and co-owner of Miami David Beckham, Messi’s impact in Florida is no surprise. After the victory over Cruz Azul, Beckham explained he knew the World Cup winner would write the perfect script.
He told MLS Season Pass: “To be honest, as soon as I saw the free kick given, I thought: ‘This is the way it’s meant to end.’ Especially when you’ve got players like Leo and Sergio on the pitch – that’s what they produce.
“It’s so exciting tonight for our fans. All of these people that have come down here to see Leo just step onto the pitch, let alone just do what he’s done.”
Messi is set to make his MLS debut on August 21 when Miami face Charlotte FC at the DRV PNK Stadium.
