Lionel Messi scored two firsthalf goals and assisted on another in the second to lead Inter Miami to a dismantling of Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup . The World Cup champion from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the MLS side .
The team captain received a lovely lofting pass from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and after initially hitting the post fired home his own rebound to put Miami up in the eighth minute to roars of approval from the home crowd . Messi slotted home a second in the nd minute on a diving cross from teammate Robert Taylor who notched a brace of his own on a hot night in Miami .
With the win Miami have now won their group in the tournament which is a World Cupstyle tournament featuring all teams from MLS and Mexicos Liga MX . Miami bottom of the MLS standings had not won for league games prior to Messis arrival but looks utterly transformed by his impact together with Busquet .
The pair exchanged jerseys after Messi was subbed out in the th minute and Messi and fellow Argentinian midfielder Thiago Almada hugged when Messi wassubbed out at the end of the match . Messi and Almada exchanged jerseys following the match after the game .
The Argentine head coach Gerardo Martino says the players feel more supported they feel that the players have a lot of confidence. The players feel that their arrival has given the players are more comfortable . The players have not won in the MLS had not lost for the game.
The Argentine coach Martino said Martino. The team coach said. The pair had a lot to him and Martino and the pair exchanged . The former Manchester United. Messi said he and Messi. Messi and the former Barcelona.
