Former Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi is off to an excellent start in MLS, scoring three goals in his first two contests with Inter Miami.
The 36-year-old scored a brace against Atlanta United on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Leagues Cup 2023 action. Furthermore, the Argentine added an assist in the 4-0 win.
GO OFF, LEO MESSI.
A 20-minute brace for @InterMiamiCF's star man. pic.twitter.com/vzrDobOFRc
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
Messi’s brace comes after he scored the game-winning goal on a free-kick in stoppage time last Friday against Cruz Azul. ESPN Stats & Info pointed out on Twitter how long it took Messi to score three goals in his previous two stops, FC Barcelona and PSG.
The Messi takeover has begun.
Lionel Messi needed just 58 minutes to score 3 goals for Inter Miami, including 2 in 22 minutes tonight.
It took him 444 minutes to score 3 with PSG and 741 minutes to do it with Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/ayKHoeQgnZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 26, 2023
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner needed just 58 minutes to score three goals for Inter Miami. At Barcelona, the seven-time Ballon d’Or needed 741 minutes to reach this feat; meanwhile, at PSG, it took Messi 444 minutes.
Messi did get off to a slow start in the goal-scoring department at PSG. However, the floodgates would open, especially in his second season in Paris.
Although already in his late 30s, Messi should be dominating the sport in North America, where defending can be subpar compared to Europe. Expect Messi to continue on this impressive pace as his dominance is only beginning.
