(CNN Spanish) — Lionel Messi came to the United States to be the star of the league, and what he is doing in just three games is taking over and dominating the game, something nothing new for him.
This Wednesday, on a football night that began with a storm that caused a delay in the start of the match, Messi shone again in the match for the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup between Inter Miami against Orlando City, one of the classics that American football has.
It was the third match of the Argentine star with his new club and, how could it be otherwise, the third in which he scored on the scoreboard.
Against Orlando, Messi scored two goals again to seal the game and give Inter Miami a place in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.
Messi’s double made Miami fans delirious 1:26
Look at everything that a new magical night of Lionel Messi left in the United States.
1. Double and classic guaranteed
Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 in a game that Messi and company had under control despite a level first half on the scoreboard.
Messi opened the scoring at minute 7 and closed the final 3-1 at minute 72. It is the second brace for the Argentine with Inter Miami, after the one achieved against Atlanta.
But it was not only another double for Messi, but also the first clásico that he won with his new club. The Inter Miami match against Orlando is known as the Florida classic, so the world champion already has one more piece of his historical record.
Messi’s first goal in the Inter Miami and Orlando match in the 2023 Leagues Cup. (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Messi’s first goal in the Inter Miami and Orlando match in the 2023 Leagues Cup. (Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
2. Reprimanded
The first half was characterized by four aspects: Messi’s goal at minute 7, Orlando City’s equalizer 10 minutes later, and two yellow cards.
One of those cards was for Lionel Messi, in what was the first warning the Argentine received at Inter Miami.
It would be an event simply for the record; however, it became more than just anecdotal as Orlando coach Óscar Pareja said in a post-game press conference that Messi should have received another yellow card in the game and, therefore, should have been sent off.
3. “The Universe of Messi”
After his second goal and Inter Miami’s third, Messi held another celebration that caused an uproar on social networks.
The Argentine made the classic sign of crossed arms that we can see in Marvel’s “Black Panther”.
Because it is his second celebration that he makes with reference to Marvel, the Leagues Cup said on Twitter: “This summer, do not miss the Universe of Messi.” In addition, he added a photo where he compared both celebrations with Thor and Black Panther.
4. One more to the club
Inter Miami seems to be willing to indulge Messi in football, and proof of this was the presentation of the club’s new reinforcements before the game against Orlando: Jordi Alba, one of Messi’s and Busquets’ great teammates at Barcelona in Spain.
Since the arrival of Messi and Busquets, Inter Miami has won every game it has played. And this Wednesday, with the incorporation of Jordi Alba, there was one more victory with the debut of the Spanish defender.
Inter Miami owners David Beckham, Jose Mas and Jorge Mas introduce Spanish defender Jordi Alba before the Leagues Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Inter Miami and Orlando City at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , on August 2, 2023. (Photo: GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)
Inter Miami owners David Beckham, Jose Mas and Jorge Mas introduce Spanish defender Jordi Alba before the Leagues Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Inter Miami and Orlando City at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , on August 2, 2023. (Photo: GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)