By Milcah Tanimu

In a scintillating start to the new Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami secured a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, courtesy of Lionel Messi’s brilliance on Wednesday.

The Argentine maestro orchestrated both goals, showcasing his enduring quality throughout the match. Despite concerns over his early season fitness, Messi’s performance reassured fans and pundits alike, earning praise from coach Gerardo Martino.

Messi, who played the full duration of the game, displayed remarkable speed and agility. Teaming up with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Messi orchestrated Miami’s attacks in front of a packed stadium.

Miami’s breakthrough came when Messi provided a sublime assist to Finnish forward Robert Taylor, who clinically finished past RSL keeper Zac MacMath. Although Salt Lake attempted to rally in the second half, Miami’s solid defense held firm.

As the game progressed, Messi’s influence grew. He tirelessly orchestrated attacks, nearly setting up several more goals for his teammates. Ultimately, it was Diego Gomez who sealed the victory with a well-placed shot, following another incisive pass from Messi.

Coach Martino expressed satisfaction with the performance, highlighting the contributions of lesser-known players like Taylor and Gomez. He emphasized the need to further develop the chemistry between Messi and Suarez, drawing upon their successful partnership at Barcelona.

For Taylor, the win marked a promising start to the season, with room for improvement. Despite the victory, he acknowledged the team’s need to refine certain aspects of their game.

Inter Miami’s next challenge awaits them against Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, where they aim to build upon this solid start and continue their winning momentum.