Lionel Messi once again delighted the fans of Inter Miami, who packed the stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Miami secured a resounding 4-0 victory against Atlanta, with Messi scoring the first two goals by the 22nd minute and setting up the fourth.
Messi’s first goal came in the 8th minute, brilliantly served by Sergio Busquets, as he skillfully bypassed the opponent’s defensive lines and passed the ball perfectly to Messi, who found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper. After hitting the post with his left foot, he quickly netted the rebound with his right. This goal also marked Messi’s 100th club against whom he scored in official matches.
Just 14 minutes later, Messi combined with Robert Taylor to create a fantastic move and scored another goal. Taylor then scored the remaining two goals for Miami, with Messi assisting the second. Thanks to Messi’s brilliance, Inter Miami entered halftime with a three-goal lead, a historic achievement for the young five-year-old club. This 4-0 victory matched their highest win alongside the 5-1 triumph against Cincinnati in MLS.
After scoring two goals and providing an assist in the 78th minute, Messi left the field to a standing ovation from the home fans. Interestingly, when Messi took a seat on the bench, the fans began leaving the stadium in droves. It seems the flamboyant Argentine is the primary magnet for soccer fans in Miami.
Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami had a significant marketing impact on the club’s popularity. The victory secured Inter’s place in the knockout round of the League Cup, and it also marked Sergio Busquets’ debut for Miami in this match.