Lionel Messi, who made his Inter Miami debut as a substitute, stunned the football world last week with a sensational last-gasp winner against Cruz Azul. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has now stated that Messi would wear the captain’s armband in his second appearance for the club. The Argentine superstar will probably start Wednesday’s Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United. Messi’s time on the pitch, however, will be based on his fitness, Martino said.
“Yes, he was our captain in the last game as well,” Martino said when questioned if Messi will captain Inter Miami against Atlanta United.
In Inter Miami’s thrilling 2-1 victory against Cruz Azul, Lionel Messi and his old Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets reunited. Messi and Busquets were both substituted in the second half. Inter Miami took the lead just a minute before halftime thanks to Finnish winger Robert Taylor. Inter Miami’s lead did not last long as Cruz Azul equalized in the 65th minute. Messi finally came to Inter Miami’s rescue, scoring one of his trademark free kicks in the dying minutes of the match to win the Major League Soccer (MLS) club three points.