Inter Miami defeats Orlando City 3-1 with goals from Lionel Messi, who scores twice

It seems impossible to stop Lionel Messi right now. In a Leagues Cup round of 32 match on Wednesday night, the Argentine World Cup champion scored in his third consecutive game to help Inter Miami defeat Orlando City 3-1.

Messi opened the scoring seven minutes into the game, and the home fans erupted in jubilation when he added a second goal in the 72nd minute.

Since making his much awaited MLS debut on July 21, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored five goals in three games.

 

Jordi Alba, a former colleague of Messi’s at Barcelona, also made his Inter Miami debut when he joined the game in the 64th.

 

 

Messi and his teammates reemerged for a second round of pregame warm-ups after stadium staff cleared water puddles from the area near midfield.

 

Since joining the MLS team, Messi has played in two League Cup games without seeing adverse weather. In a triumph against Atlanta United, he contributed two goals in addition to the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul.

 

The former Barcelona player was fired by PSG after his contract with the Ligue 1 team ended. After being connected to Premier League and Saudi clubs, Messi put all speculation to rest by signing with David Beckham-owned Inter Miami.

 

Messi’s transfer to the MLS provides American’soccer’ and particularly the big League Soccer as a whole a big boost, especially with a number of European talents, like Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo, moving to Saudi Arabia.