Double pack instead of three: Lionel Messi gave a penalty against Orlando to a recently troubled teammate.
WHAT HAPPENED? Superstar Lionel Messi refrained from taking a penalty in Inter Miami’s 3-1 Leagues Cup win over Orlando City. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner gave the penalty away when the score was 1-1 to his strike partner Josef Martínez, who had recently had a losing streak in front of goal.
WHAT WAS SAID? After the final whistle, Martínez explained how Messi didn’t take the penalty. He asked after his captain’s waiver: “You don’t want him?” Messi’s response was: “No, shoot him.”
Martinez added: “If there’s a penalty, you have to wait and see what he says.”
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND? Messi had made it 1-0 for Inter and made it 3-1 after Martínez’s successful attempt from the point. Martínez managed to end his almost four-week goal drought with his goal. Most recently, the Venezuelan international netted against Columbus Crew on July 5.
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS: Even without another possible goal against Orlando, Messi has an impressive record after three appearances for Inter Miami: the 36-year-old has scored five goals so far and also provided one assist.
THE PICTURES FOR THE NEWS:
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WHAT’S NEXT? After beating Orlando, Miami is in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup. Messi and Martinez meet Dallas FC on Sunday.
2023-08-03 15:02:22
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