Lionel Messi scores two goals, leads Inter Miami to 4-0 win over Atlanta United

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi’s game-winning goal in his first Inter Miami match was so clutch, memorable and dynamic. It was natural to wonder whether his second game could live up to the heightened hype.

Messi delivered again.

And he did not waste much time, either.

Messi, widely considered the greatest player in the sport, scored two goals within the first 22 minutes of the match. He also delivered a second-half assist, leading Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory against Atlanta United in Leagues Cup play on Tuesday night at DRV PNK Stadium.

Messi’s MLS career so far: Three goals and one assist in two games – both wins.

And Messi Mania, fueled by viral posts on social media, continues to be must-see TV.

“He’s the best player in the world. This is what he does,” said Robert Taylor, who also scored two goals with a brace of his own – Messi assisting one of them and sparking the other – during a postgame interview on Apple TV.

“It’s a dream come true to play with him.”

Messi made his first start for Inter Miami after coming off the bench in his first game. And in the ninth minute, Messi sent the fans in attendance in a frenzy with a goal off a rebound from his own shot.

The outlet pass from Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former FC Barcelona teammate who also made his first start, was delivered perfectly to Messi in stride.

The 2022 World Cup winner kept his poise despite missing the initial shot, his left kick hitting the right post before his right kick into the right corner of the net.

Messi’s second goal in the game came in the 22^nd minute, not too long after in the same fashion – a right-footed kick into the right corner of the net.

Messi later had an assist in the second half, assisting on Taylor’s second goal of the game in the 53^rd minute.

Messi and Taylor, the 28-year-old Finnish national standout, have shown incredible chemistry in their two games – accounting for three goals each during Inter Miami’s first two Leagues Cup games.

“We had a good performance, we cannot deny it,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said. “But I think that it’s just the beginning.”

Messi left the pitch in 78’, with his hands above his head, clapping for fans in the crowd as they cheered for him.

Messi’s next Inter Miami game will occur during the Round of 32 play in Leagues Cup, which begins Aug. 2-4.

They will face Orlando City, Houston or LIGA MX team Santos Laguna on Aug. 2.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has clearly brought a spark to the team who was last in the MLS standings prior to his arrival.

“I think everyone sees what he does. He can do everything on the ball. He makes the right decisions 100 percent of the time,” Taylor said.

“He brings so much quality to the team – so much.”

Inter Miami up 4-0 as Messi delivers assist

After three goals in two games, Messi converted his first MLS assist in the second half of Tuesday's game.

Messi intercepted a pass near midfield with one defender in front of him, and found his new favorite teammate Robert Taylor, who scored his second goal from of the game the left side in the 53rd minute.

Messi and Taylor have accounted for all six of Inter Miami's goals in two games of Leagues Cup play.

Inter Miami takes 3-0 lead into halftime, could Messi be pulled?

Just before halftime, Messi sparked Inter Miami's third goal of the game. Now the question is how much will he play in the second half?

Messi's pass set up Robert Taylor's goal in 44' to help Inter Miami take a 3-0 lead on Atlanta United in a dominant first half.

Inter Miami needs a win or draw in this game to advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup. And with a 3-0 lead, it might not be farfetched to see if Inter Miami pulls Messi at some point in the second half.

Messi set the tone early with two goals in the first 22 minutes of the game.

How quickly did Messi score three goals in previous stops?

Messi has scored three goals in his first 58 minutes of action for Inter Miami, spanning two games.

At other stops in his illustrious career:

It took Messi 19 games before he scored three goals for FC Barcelona.

It took Messi six games before he scored three goals for Paris Saint-Germain.

And Messi scored his third goal in three games for Argentina in international play.

Messi scores second goal, Inter Miami up 2-0

Lionel Messi’s on pace to score a goal every 11 minutes.

Messi scored his second goal of the game in the 22^nd minute on Tuesday night, helping Inter Miami take a 2-0 lead over Atlanta United.

Messi exchanged passes with Inter Miami’s Robert Taylor before being set up with a shot inside the box, and into the right corner of the net.

It was Messi’s second goal in his second game, and third goal overall since joining Inter Miami.

Messi scores goal, Inter Miami up 1-0

It took eight minutes before Lionel Messi’s brilliance shined once again in an Inter Miami jersey.

Messi missed his first shot off the post, but instantly got the rebound and softly kicked in his second goal for Inter Miami.

Messi delivered quickly in his second game as he caught a head of steam in the open field off a pass from Sergio Busquets.

DJ Khaled's son walks out with Messi pregame

Messi was the first player introduced pregame, and he walked out with DJ Khaled's son, Asahd, before Tuesday's game.

DJ Khaled, the Miami-based hip-hop producer, was among several celebrities in attendance, including rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and singer Camila Cabello.

Will Messi start for Inter Miami?

Messi and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami’s newest stars, are both expected to start in the match. Inter Miami announced both Messi and Busquets would start on an Instagram post before the game Tuesday.

The former FC Barcelona teammates will be making their first start for Inter Miami after they both came off the bench in their team debuts last Friday.

When is Messi's next game for Inter Miami?

Messi’s first two games for Inter Miami have come during the Leagues Cup 2023, a newly formatted 47-team tournament featuring every club from Major League Soccer and Liga MX with 77 matches to be played in the U.S. or Canada.

Inter Miami’s game against Atlanta United will be its second and final game of the opening round, which ends on July 31.

Messi’s next game could come during the Round of 32 will begin Aug. 2-4.

The rest of the Leagues Cup rounds follows: Round of 16 (Aug. 6-8); Quarterfinals (Aug. 11-12); Semifinals (Aug. 16); Third-place game and Final (Aug. 19).

Messi’s first goal was magical for Beckham, MLS

Messi punctuated his first Inter Miami game with a game-winning goal in extra time during the 94th minute on a free kick about 25 yards out. The goal helped Inter Miami beat LIGA MX team Cruz Azul 2-1.

Messi’s first goal with Inter Miami in his first game left co-owner David Beckham’s eyes watery as the team celebrated the storybook ending to the historic occasion.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami over Atlanta United with two goals