Lionel Messi made his much-anticipated debut for Inter Miami on Sunday, and it was a record-breaking performance. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner scored three goals in just 63 minutes of action, becoming the first player in MLS history to score a brace on debut.
The 33-year-old Argentine forward was signed by Inter Miami in January, and his debut was highly anticipated. He made his first appearance for the club in the second half of their match against Philadelphia Union, and he didn’t take long to make an impact.
Messi opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, and then doubled his tally just seven minutes later with a low finish from close range. He completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute, when he tapped in a cross from teammate Blaise Matuidi.
Messi’s performance was a record-breaker, as he became the first player in MLS history to score a brace on debut. He also became the first player to score three goals in his first match for an MLS club, and the first player to score a hat-trick on debut in any competition since Zlatan Ibrahimovic did so for LA Galaxy in 2018.
Messi’s performance was met with praise from fans and pundits alike. His manager Phil Neville said after the match that Messi “showed why he is one of the greatest players of all time,” while former Inter Miami player David Beckham said that Messi “showed why he is one of the best players in the world.”
It remains to be seen how Messi will perform for Inter Miami over the course of the season, but his debut performance certainly suggests that he will be a major asset for the club. With three goals in just 63 minutes of action, Lionel Messi has set the bar high for himself and his new team.
