Lionel Messi continues to be levels above the rest of the players in America as he scored yet another double in the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring sides from Major League Soccer and Liga MX. He scored a brace against Orlando City FC to make it five goals in three matches for Inter Miami.
The first goal was set up by Robert Taylor who cut inside early and chipped the ball above the defence which landed on Messi’s left foot followed by an easy finish.
The second goal was also similar as Messi took the ball from the half-way line. And passed to Taylor who then crossed it towards the striker, Josep Martinez. The striker then controlled the ball and chipped it to Messi who finished it easily.
The brace will increase his tally to five goals and one assist in just three appearances having scored against Cruz Azul and twice against Atalanta United.
Transfer to America
After he departed from European football, Messi has taken America by storm since his transfer to David Beckham’s Inter Miami. It is not just Messi who made the move, former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also have left European football after their tenures ended at FC Barcelona.
Inter Miami will be relying on the services of Messi, Busquets and Alba to help the side win trophies as they placed at the bottom in the Eastern Conference at the moment.
The side will be looking to bounce back from the lacklustre season with the appointment of former Barcelona and Argentina coach, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. Martino and Messi have a lot in common, both are from Rosario, Argentina.
Both of them represented Barcelona and were part of the Argentina team that went to the finals in 2015 Copa America. Martino replaced former Manchester United defender, Phil Neville.