Lionel Messi’s arrival to MLS was always going to come with remarkably high expectations. But we’re just a few weeks into his tenure with Inter Miami, and he’s managing to blow by even the loftiest of expectations.
He might even have opposing goalkeepers looking starstruck out there.
Messi and Inter Miami waited almost no time to put their stamp on Tuesday’s Leagues Cup semifinal in Philadelphia. Josef Martinez got the scoring started in the third minute after catching Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake in a poor angle. It was a kind of a mistake that you can’t make against a player of Martinez’s caliber, but to do that again against Messi? It was just asking for trouble.
What can't he do?! 🐐
Make it NINE goals in six games for Leo Messi. pic.twitter.com/HLf3zBFTmV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 15, 2023
In the 20th minute, Messi found himself plenty of space to operate and caught Blake in poor position once again. So, Messi did what he does best: He guided the ball into the back of the net from distance. It was his ninth goal in six games.
Yet, for how awesome it has been to have Messi in MLS, it’s equal parts embarrassing *for* MLS that Messi can essentially pass in goals from 35 yards out. The goalkeeping needs to be better there — that’s for sure.
You can’t really blame MLS fans for crushing Blake’s performance in the first half. It was tough to watch.