Lionel Messi let Josef Martinez take the penalty for Inter Miami to rebuild his confidence in classy gesture
Lionel Messi let Josef Martinez take the penalty for Inter Miami against Orlando City in a classy gesture.
Messi scored yet another brace following his two-goal haul against Atlanta United as Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 on Wednesday.
He opened the scoring in the seventh minute before bagging his second goal of the game in the 72nd minute to make it 3-1.
Martinez also got on the score-sheet after the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner gave up the chance to score from the spot.
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Inter Miami were awarded a penalty just after the break, with the Venezuelan sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put his side back in the lead.
Speaking after the Leagues Cup victory, the forward revealed Messi told him to take the penalty.
Martinez: "You don't want it?" To which Messi replied: "No, you take it."
Martínez added: "When there's a pen, you have to wait to see what the man says."
Messi's gesture allowed Martinez to rebuild his confidence, having had a baron spell in front of goal.
Before last night's penalty, the 30-year-old hadn't scored since his strike against Columbus Crew back in July 5.
Messi, on the other hand, has enjoyed a prolific start to his career at Inter Miami, having scored five goals in just three matches.
He scored a stunning, last-minute free-kick against Cruz Azul before bagging braces against Atlanta United and Orlando City.
The Argentine also showed his intensity and passion for the game as he clashed with several Orlando City players.
Messi will look to continue his impressive goal-scoring ways when Inter Miami face FC Dallas on Sunday in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Football
Nasir Jabbar