Lionel Messi, once again proving his brilliance, left fans in awe with a remarkable celebration following his two-goal performance in Inter Miami’s commanding 3-1 victory over Orlando City in the MLS.
The 36-year-old soccer genius displayed his mastery on the field, delivering yet another breathtaking performance at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida, leading his team into the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
Despite the match experiencing a delay of over 90 minutes due to adverse weather conditions, the anticipation among spectators only intensified, and Messi did not disappoint.
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His goal-scoring spree began in the seventh minute, showcasing his skill as he effortlessly volleyed the ball home from close range after receiving a precise pass from Robert Taylor.
MESSI X ROBERT TAYLOR BANGERS ONLY 🤯🤯
Taylor puts Messi in with the chip to give us the early lead over Orlando City.#MIAvORL | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/kvb8Lmcccj
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 3, 2023Although Orlando City managed to equalize shortly after, Messi’s leadership qualities shone through immediately after the break.
When Inter Miami was awarded a penalty, the crowd anticipated the legendary player to take the shot from the 12-yard mark. However, to everyone’s astonishment, Messi showed his selflessness by allowing his teammate Josef Martinez to step up and successfully convert the penalty kick.
Once again, Messi demonstrated not only his exceptional football prowess but also his humility and team-first attitude, endearing himself even further to both supporters and admirers across the globe.
The fans in the stadium were left in awe, once again mesmerized by the sheer talent and sportsmanship of the Barcelona legend, who continues to captivate and inspire his newfound adoring supporters in Miami.
Prior to the clash against Orlando, Martinez had not managed to find the net in the Leagues Cup. However, the talented Venezuelan international broke his goal drought by confidently slotting his spot-kick into the bottom left corner during the match.
In a beautiful display of teamwork, Martinez then transitioned into a provider’s role. In the 72nd minute, he skillfully set up Messi for his second goal of the match.
THANK GOD LEO MESSI DIDN'T COME BACK IN LA LIGA 🥶pic.twitter.com/bmAWpITMYL
— SAUSAGE 🌭 (Angry and hopeless) (@Whreyu_wing) August 3, 2023It all started with Messi initiating a swift counter-attack, finding Taylor on the left flank, who in turn spotted an unmarked Martinez inside the box.
Coach Tata Martino expressed his admiration for Messi’s stellar performance, highlighting that he has already scored an impressive five goals in just three games for Inter Miami.
Given Messi’s track record, Martino explained, “We are talking about a player that scored 40 goals in a season. It makes sense for him to score five goals in three matches.”
During the critical moment, Messi showcased not only his scoring prowess but also his selflessness and footballing intelligence.
He unselfishly passed the ball to the 2022 World Cup winner, who confidently fired a right-footed volley into the bottom corner from a mere six yards out. The seamless teamwork and exceptional skills on display made it a moment to savor for both the players and the fans alike.
Following his brilliant “hold my beer” celebration in the previous week’s win against Atlanta, Lionel Messi once again delighted fans by debuting another iconic gesture.
This time, Messi paid homage to the Marvel superhero film ‘Black Panther’ by performing the ‘Wakanda Forever’ salute.
The gesture, made famous by the movie, resonated deeply with fans who were quick to express their excitement on social media.
One enthusiastic Twitter user wrote, “Messi doing the Black Panther celebration. He is Him. GOAT for a reason.” Another fan chimed in, “Messi hits the Wakanda Forever celebration! King of the pitch, ruler of our hearts.” A third admirer dubbed him “Messi the real Black Panther.”
The social media frenzy surrounding Messi’s celebration showed the immense impact he has on his followers, not just as a football legend but also as a cultural icon.
Now, the football maestro is set to embark on another journey with the Inter squad as they face FC Dallas in the Round of 16 at the Toyota Stadium.
The venue, which houses the National Soccer Hall of Fame, holds special significance, making it a fitting location for Messi to continue his awe-inspiring performances.
