Lionel Messi netted a stunning goal for Inter Miami on Thursday night vs. Nashville SC in a rematch of last summer’s Leagues Cup Final – which ended 2-2.
Making his CONCACAF Champions Cup debut, Messi found himself near the top of the box in the 52nd minute when Luis Suarez laid off the ball for him.
The Argentine No. 10 took a touch before curling the ball past goalie Joe Willis with his favored left foot.
However, Miami still trailed 2-1 after the goal, thanks to a Jacob Shaffelburg brace.
Miami defeated Nashville on penalties last season to win Leagues Cup after the arrivals of Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF scores a goal against Nashville SC during the second half
Lionel Messi wheels away in celebration after scoring vs. Nashville SC on Thursday
The goal is Messi’s fourth in four games this season.
After failing to score in the opener against Real Salt Lake, Messi netted a goal in Miami’s 1-1 draw with Los Angeles on February 25 before scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Orlando last week.
Despite another impressive individual display, Messi was far from his happiest self at times as he survived a late injury scare, complained to the referee and hotly confronted opponent Aníbal Godoy in the second half.
In fact, a shoving match nearly erupted between Godoy, Messi and Suarez, as the latter two hotly exchanged words with their Nashville oppoenent.
After a second-half Shaq Moore goal was disallowed for being offsides, Suarez struck with a 95th-minute header to equalize the game.
