Lionel Messi Inspires Transformed Inter Miami To Biggest Win Since 2021
Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United
When Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, many wondered how long it might take the best player in the world to turn around the fortunes of the worst team in Major League Soccer.
It didn't take long.
Messi may not yet have made his MLS debut, but on Tuesday night he inspired Miami to a 4-0 win over a side ranked eight places above them in the Eastern Conference.
Miami's last victory by a margin of four goals had come 21 months ago when they beat Cincinnati 5-1 in October 2021.
Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to a 4-0 win over Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday
IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Nick Tre. Smith
Four days after scoring a 94th-minute winner over Cruz Azul on his Miami debut, Messi registered another two goals and an assist as Atlanta were torn apart at DRV PNK Stadium.
That victory saw Messi and Co cruise into the Leagues Cup's round of 32.
With Messi in such sparkling form and Sergio Busquets - who set up his former Barcelona teammate for the opening goal on Tuesday - also looking like a transformative signing, Miami might even dare to dream that they could lift the Leagues Cup on August 19.
Such a dream would have sounded crazy prior to Miami's mid-season recruitment drive.
This was a team that had failed to win in 11 straight games.
But with Messi and Busquets in the side, they have now won two in two.
Miami have recorded two wins from two games with Messi in the team, having gone 11 matches without a victory prior to his debut
IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Nick Tre. Smith
Messi scored two goals with his weaker foot as Miami stormed into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 22 minutes on Tuesday.
His first goal was set up by a fine pass from Busquets. Messi hit the post with his initial effort before converting the rebound with his right foot.
Messi's second goal came from a move started by one of countless darting dribbles through the center of the field.
After carrying the ball for 30 yards, Messi poked a pass wide to Robert Taylor using the outside of his left boot. A sliding Taylor then delivered a perfect cross for Messi to tuck away a calm right-footed finish from eight yards.
It was 3-0 to Miami just before half-time when Taylor got on the scoresheet himself. The Finland international scored the goal of the night by hammering a volley into the top corner from a tight angle.
Taylor scored another eight minutes into the second half when Messi recorded the first assist of his Miami career following another devastating dribble.
Messi pictured celebrating after assisting Robert Taylor for Miami's fourth goal on Tuesday
IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Peter Joneleit
Messi was substituted off 12 minutes before full-time, ending hopes of a 58th career hat-trick.
Nevertheless, thanks to Messi, hope is firmly back on the menu in Fort Lauderdale.
