Messi scores twice, assists once in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win

<p>In his first start for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi not only scored twice but also provided an assist as Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 4-0 in a purely one-sided encounter.</p>, <p>Before assisting teammate Robert Taylor in the second half, the 36-year-old Argentina star scored twice in the first 22 minutes.</p>, <p>Messi pointed at David Beckham, the owner of Inter Miami, after scoring his second goal.</p>, <p>His performance comes after a game-winning stoppage-time free kick on his debut last week.</p>, <p>“He can do everything on the ball. He can keep it in tight spaces, and he makes the right decision 100% of the time,” Taylor said in a post-match interview. “Most of the time he’ll find one of his team-mates.</p>, <p>“He brings so much quality to the team, so much. I mean, he’s the best player in the world.</p>, <p>“This is what he does – he scores two goals, he scored last game, gets another assist. It’s a dream come true to play with him.”</p>, <p>Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined the Major League Soccer team after his contract with Paris St. Germain expired and only began training with his teammates last week.</p>, <p>During a two-year stint with the French champions, the 2022 World Cup winner scored 32 goals in 75 games and declined lucrative offers from other nations to play in the US.</p>, <p>In the ninth minute, Messi scored the game’s first goal by converting a rebound of his own shot after controlling a pass over the top from fellow newcomer and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets.</p>, <p>Thirteen minutes later, he doubled the advantage by teaming up with Finland midfielder Taylor to bury a low cross from close range.</p>, <p>Before the half, Taylor added a third, and Messi finished the scoring by putting the 28-year-old through on a break in the second period.</p>, <p>Messi was substituted in the 78th minute to a standing ovation, with a number of fans leaving the 20,000-seat DRV PNK Stadium shortly afterwards.</p>, <p>The win saw Inter Miami move into the knockout stages of