In their Leagues Cup 2023 round of 16 clash against **Orlando City SC**, Inter Miami CF were off the mark after just six minutes.
The scorer was none other than Lionel Messi, who found the net for the fourth time in three games for his new team so far. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner converted from close range after a chipped ball over the defense from Robert Taylor - who has been in the form of his life since Messi’s arrival - to put the hosts ahead.
The Argentine has made an instant impact since his move to North American soccer, having scored a last-minute free-kick winner against Cruz Azul as well as a double against Atlanta United FC. In the latter game - which confirmed Inter Miami as the winners of the South 3 group - Messi would complete his brace after just 20 minutes of play, having broken the deadlock on eight minutes.
Despite the weather delay which saw kick-off delayed by over an hour tonight, the match was more than worth the wait, as the former Barcelona man struck early on yet again. According to **Opta**’s statistics, it was even a career first for the veteran: never before in his club career had Messi scored in the first ten minutes in consecutive games. The only time he had scored in a similar time-frame in two straight games had been in an appearance for Argentina back in September of 2010 after doing the same for Barcelona a week earlier.
It’s a statistic which encapsulates the immediate influence that Messi has had at Inter Miami CF, and on Leagues Cup as a whole. The newly-named club captain will be hoping to continue the newfound habit of scoring early on as looks to lead his new team to success this summer and beyond.
