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Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Josh Lawless
Lionel Messi dropped a sensational display in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Nashville on Wednesday night.
Inter played the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 clash at the Chase Stadium.
The first leg finished 2-2 but Inter were in full control throughout in this contest, with Messi absolutely running the show.
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He and Luis Suarez rolled back the years for the opening goal, evoking memories of their incredible link-up in Barcelona colours.
The ball was fed into Suarez but he produced an outrageous dummy to allow Messi to do his thing.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner played through an exquisite pass to Suarez, who finished calmly with the outside of his boot.
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Messi doubled Inter's lead in the 23rd minute with an emphatic strike from just inside the area.
Robert Taylor added the third in the 63rd minute, before Sam Surridge added a very late consolation for the visitors.
However it wasn't all positive for the Herons as Messi was substituted in the 50th minute.
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Manager Gerardo Martino explained that the Argentine ace was taken off as a precaution after being bothered by a slight leg problem.
He still managed to affect the game in a huge way during his time on the pitch and Nashville Gary manager spoke glowingly of the 36-year-old afterwards.
“He's such a huge influence on the rest of the group," he said, as per Goal.
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"Yes, they have other very good players. But there is no one that can do what he can do. There is an infinite amount of trust in his decisions, his techniques, his ability. As soon as he gets on the ball everyone else goes into gear. And that's a real problem.
"That's a problem for individuals playing against him, it's a problem for the midfield players and defenders, because they're now seeing runners that they wouldn't normally see. Maybe one or two players that have got that sort of confidence from the rest of their team-mates around the league. Not many. And nobody at the level, of course, that this guy can produce.”
Messi is expected to miss the upcoming league game against D.C United, according to Martino.