Superstar Lionel Messi scored another two goals for Inter Miami as he helped them march on through to the next round of the Leagues Cup, taking his tally to a mammoth seven goals and one assist in just four outings for his new side.
The former Barcelona and PSG man, who joined Inter Miami this summer after rejecting a move to Al-Hilal, opened the scoring for his side against FC Dallas after sweeping home a pass from fellow new arrival Jordi Alba, a goal which withstood the scrutiny of VAR.
Taking the shot from just outside the penalty area, the Argentine curled the ball into the bottom corner first time before running to Alba in celebration of the pass.
Another game. Another goal. Just Messi things. 🐐
After Video Review, his sixth goal in four matches stands! pic.twitter.com/SZLTppHm9D
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
It didn’t go to plan from there though, with Dallas taking a 3-1 lead before another flurry of goals left the game poised at 4-3 in the final minutes.
Step up, Lionel Messi.
Much like his first MLS goal, the Argentine stepped up to a free kick outside the penalty area, before once again firing the ball over the wall and finding the top corner to level the game.
HE DID IT AGAIN. 🤯
LEO MESSI. FREE KICK. EQUALIZER. 4-4. pic.twitter.com/Yh1TXFDENH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
In doing so, it became the first time that Messi has won a penalty shoot-out at club level, though he of course has done so on several occasions with Argentina (most notably in the 2022 World Cup final).
Perfection from the spot for @InterMiamiCF. 🎯
Relive the shootout that kept Miami’s #LeaguesCup2023 dream alive (and gave Leo Messi the first club shootout win of his career). pic.twitter.com/OhXNzHzyKb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
He also became the first player in the history of football to manage 20 goals in 17 consecutive seasons, a record that even Cristiano Ronaldo cannot match.
🚨 BREAKING: Lionel Messi becomes the First player in history to Score 20 Goals in 17 Consecutive Years. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tGf6QCkqAD
— ACE (@FCB_ACEE) August 7, 2023