WATCH | Lionel Messi scores twice for Inter, leaves American fans enchanted with smashing display

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has one lasting memory from Lionel Messi’s debut: im of Messi running to embrace his family after delivering game-winning free kick and cementing a new era for club and Major League Soccer.

“That was for fans. This community is hungry,” Mas said.

Messi’s follow-up performance Tuesday night against Atlanta United in Leagues Cup showed impact that one player — right player — can have on an entire club.

Messi scored twice and had an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, first such lead in club history.

“re’s going to be a before and after Messi in football for this country,” Mas said.

Miami went on to win 4-0. Messi exited in 78th minute to a standing ovation, with many in crowd wearing his . 10 jersey. Many also headed for exits mselves once Messi was on bench.

“With type of player that he is, it’s justified that this happens,” Miami coach Tata Marti said. “I would have preferred that public stayed and pay tribute to entire team, but I can also understand it.”

Miami swept its group and moved on to round of 32 in Leagues Cup, in which it will host a to-be-determined opponent.

In eighth minute, Messi took a pass from his longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged forward and sent a strike off right post before tapping in his own rebound. n, in 22nd minute, Messi put Miami ahead 2-0 off a pass from Robert Taylor.

“Since those two have gotten here, spirit has changed,” Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin said, referring to Messi and Busquets. “Obviously, guys are really excited. But I think just ir presence gives everybody more confidence. And I think also teams that we’re playing against w have a bit of fear in ir eyes. When those two are on field, you kw you’re in for a tough game.”

Messi came off bench in 54th minute Friday night in Miami’s first Leagues Cup match against Mexican club Cruz Azul. And he provided a moment fans had hoped for when seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion for Argentina decided to take his talents to MLS. Messi converted  game-winning free kick in stopp time in front of a crowd estimated at 21,000.

Yedlin had placed skipper’s armband on Messi when he checked in on Friday, but Messi entered Tuesday’s match wearing armband just below his right shoulder.

“He’s my teammate w. He’s our teammate,” Yedlin said. “He’s part of this team and he wants to win like everybody else. And he’s been a joy to be around, obviously t just on field. He’s obviously an amazing talent but off field he really helps a lot of younger guys, even older guys like myself.”

Brazilian midfielder Gregore had been club’s captain before suffering a foot injury in March.

With Messi rightly commanding much of attention from Atlanta’s defenders, opportunities opened for or Miami players. Taylor scored in 44th minute, n made it 4-0 in 53rd after being set up by Messi.

“re’s times when coach prepares a certain game in a certain way, but se two players are so good at what y do that y create ,” Marti said about Messi and Busquets.

Goalkeeper Drake Callender preserved shutout when he stopped a penalty shot by Thiago Almada in 86th minute.

“re are things that of course after review of game that we can do way better,” Atlanta coach Gonzalo Pineda said. “I think we also had some chances to score. ... We couldn’t capitalize.”

Messi had entered holding hands with son of hip-hop artist DJ Khaled.

A fan got onto field as Messi was exiting. fan sprinted all way toward Miami’s bench where Messi stood before Marti grabbed attention of security. fan was n escorted off field.