All eyes were inevitably on Lionel Messi on Tuesday night, as the Argentine star made his first start for Inter Miami CF in their Leagues Cup match-up against **Atlanta United FC**.
Having already stolen the headlines in his debut against Cruz Azul with a last-minute free-kick winner, Messi was hoping to continue that momentum as he lined up alongside Josef Martínez and Sergio Busquets.
The Spain midfielder was also in the eleven for the first time since his move to Florida, and was starting his first match with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner since their illustrious stint together at Barcelona.
Tonight, the pair wasted no time in showing that their understanding was intact. The Catalan would thread a through ball to Messi after just seven minutes, and after initially seeing his effort come off the post, the forward duly prodded home the rebound into an open goal. The team would run out 4-0 winners, with Messi adding a second before Robert Taylor sealed a double of his own.
It was the 20th time that Busquets had been the provider for one of his captain’s goals since the start of their careers at Barcelona. The perennial teammates have scarcely combined in the final third, and are usually found stringing moves together in the middle of the pitch.
However, even if the former Spanish international prefers to orchestrate from deep, he has played a part in many of Messi’s most memorable goals across his career.
For instance, the Argentine’s famous solo goal against Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-finals began with a one-two between him and Busquets.
In a league win over Real Sociedad in March of 2021, Messi marked the night he became the Blaugrana’s all-time top appearance-maker with a double against the Basques. His first of the night would come from a deft ball over the top from Busquets, leaving the forward one-on-one with the helpless goalkeeper.
With the duo now back together in Miami, the Catalan will undoubtedly be adding to that tally again at Leagues Cup 2023, as well as the rest of the MLS campaign. Whether Messi can return the favour and help Busquets himself get on the scoresheet will be another matter.
