Lionel Messi And Sergio Busquets Named In Inter Miami Starting XI For First Time

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were handed their first starts for Inter Miami in Tuesday night's Leagues Cup group game against Atlanta United.

Both former Barcelona players had featured as substitutes four days earlier when Inter began their Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul.

Messi delivered the match-winning moment against Cruz Azul by scoring a superb 94th-minute goal direct from a free-kick.

The 36-year-old Argentina icon took the captain's armband from DeAndre Yedlin when he came off the bench on his debut.

Messi then started Tuesday's game as skipper, having been confirmed as Miami's new leader by coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino earlier in the week.

It took just eight minutes for Messi to find the net for the second time in his Miami career.

Messi was played through on goal by a fine pass from Busquets. He hit the post with his initial effort but quickly converted the rebound.

He scored another goal 14 minutes later - again with his right foot.

His second goal of the game was assisted by Robert Taylor, who then scored himself to make it 3-0 just before half-time.

Taylor scored another eight minutes into the second half when Messi recorded the first assist of his Miami career.

Miami's 4-0 win over Atlanta was the team's biggest margin of victory since October 2021.

SEE MORE: Watch Lionel Messi Score Two Goals With His Right Foot As Inter Miami Overpower Atlanta United

Lionel Messi was recently appointed as Inter Miami's new captain

IMAGO/Icon Sportswire/Nick Tre. Smith