Lionel Messi had another impressive performance for Inter Miami as he scored twice in their 3-1 triumph over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old’s two close-range goals played a significant role in advancing his team to the last 16 of the tournament.
Before Messi’s arrival, Miami had gone 11 games without a win, but they have now secured three consecutive victories. His former Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba, made his debut for Miami, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.
Sergio Busquets, another former Camp Nou colleague, has also joined the Florida-based team, along with former Barcelona and Argentina manager Tata Martino, who now leads the team after replacing Phil Neville as coach.
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DeAndre Yedlin, Messi’s teammate and former Newcastle defender, expressed how the Argentine superstar instills fear in their opponents.
Yedlin praised Messi’s ability to boost the confidence of everyone around him and create opportunities even in challenging situations. According to Yedlin, rival teams are cautious when facing Messi, giving Miami more space to play.
Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, will now face FC Dallas in Texas on Sunday, aiming to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup. The tournament, which debuted in 2019, features teams from the United States and Mexico competing in a knockout format.