Lionel Messi has only been playing soccer in the United States for a few weeks, but the greatest player of all time has rapidly established his domination in Major League Soccer.
Messi’s third game with Inter Miami was on Wednesday night, and he came in having already scored three goals in his first two games. He made his debut as a second-half substitute and brought a storybook finale to the game by thumping home a game-winning free kick well outside the box. Then, in his first start, he scored twice and assisted once, ensuring that he did not disappoint following his much anticipated signing.
Following a lengthy rain delay in Miami, Messi wasted no time in extending his MLS goal-scoring streak, making a darting run behind the Orlando FC defense, taking advantage of some confusion to get on the end of a beautifully lobbed ball from Robert Taylor, which he calmly brought down and smashed into the back of the net.
It’s fantastic to watch Messi dominate so casually. Part of his greatness has always been that he’s in complete control and appears to be always in second gear, regulating the pandemonium around him, but in MLS, he doesn’t appear to have to try.
His teammates have soon realized that he will always make the perfect run at the right time — or track them down if they do the same. Inter Miami is undefeated in their two games with Messi on the roster, as his arrival has immediately reversed their fortunes as the league’s weakest team, and he gave them a leg up (which they promptly gave back 10 minutes later) few minutes into his third game.
