Lionel Messi scores two first-half goals in first Miami start

Posted Wednesday, July 26, 2023 by ESPN

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were both named in Inter Miami CF's starting lineup on Tuesday night for the first time since joining the MLS side.

And it didn't take long for the former Barcelona teammates to make an impact, with Busquets lofting a perfect ball over Atlanta's defense to Messi, who missed with his first attempt but put back the rebound from his own shot to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute.

Messi then added another goal on a counter-attack in the 22nd minute to double the lead with an assist from Robert Taylor, who scored Miami's third to give the team a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The former Barcelona teammates were making their first start together in a Miami shirt in a Leagues Cup matchup with Atlanta United FC at DRV PNK stadium. The two came on as substitutes to make their debuts in a dramatic win over Cruz Azul on Friday that saw Messi win the game on the final kick.

The game is also Miami manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino's first against his former club Atlanta, which he led to the MLS Cup title in 2018. Martino, who was named Miami coach on June 28, confirmed on Monday that Messi would be the team's captain against Atlanta and moving forward.

Busquets and Messi spent 13 years playing alongside each other in Barca's first team before the Argentine moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and they have remained close friends since their trophy-laden run at Camp Nou.

Last Friday, Messi produced a trademark moment of magic to give Miami a 2-1 win, curling a free kick from just outside the penalty area into the top corner to put a bow on the storybook saga that saw him ultimately sign with co-owner David Beckham's side in MLS.

Miami and Atlanta are currently playing in the inaugural Leagues Cup competition -- a World Cup-style tournament between MLS and Liga MX sides. Messi could make his official debut in an MLS game at home against Charlotte on Aug. 20.

One player who will have to wait for his debut is another former Barcelona player in Jordi Alba, who signed for Miami on July 20, as he was not included in Miami's squad list for the game against Atlanta.