Messi scores after 2 minutes against defender from his boyhood Argentine club | OneFootball

Messi remains ruthless as ever, even against a defender who has connections to his boyhood club in Argentina.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner needed only two minutes after entering in the 55th minute on Saturday night to score what would prove the winner in Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Union.

And in poetic fashion, Messi's second of the season came after using his dribble to break down Philadelphia defender Ian Glavinovich, who came to MLS from Newell's Old Boys, the club whose academy Messi graced as a child before moving to FC Barcelona as a middle schooler.

In reality, Glavinovich was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Miami found themselves in a 3-on-3 thanks to Luis Suarez (of all people) defending in his own half and picking up a loose ball in acres of space.

Suarez played a 1-2 with Fafa Picault on the left before returning the pass to Messi on the right. Messi eyed up Glavinovich and, well, did what Messi does. Jakob Glesenes tried to provide Glavinovich some help. but by then it was too late, and Messi had doubled Miami's lead.

Interestingly this was actually the second time Glavinovich faced Messi. He was a starting centerback during a 2024 preseason friendly between Miami and Newell's, a match that finished 1-1 without Messi finding the net.

It was only Glavinovich's second start in MLS and the ninth in a senior league match in his club career. He scored the match-winner in his first, a 1-0 home win over St. Louis City a week ago.

Messi completed the match without incident for Miami after missing international duty for Argentina in the March window due to a mild adductor strain picked up during Miami's 2-1 win at Atlanta United two weeks ago.

He has two goals and two assists in three MLS appearances, and five goals in six appearances across all competitions, including one in each of his three Concacaf Champions Cup appearances.