Messi scores to seal Inter Miami win on MLS debut

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his first Major League Soccer goal for Inter Miami at New York Red Bulls.

Miami boss Gerardo Martino rested Messi for the clash at the Red Bull Arena but handed the Argentine forward his first taste of MLS action on the hour mark.

With Diego Gomez having put the visitors ahead in the first half, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner sealed the 2-0 victory in the 89th minute with his 11th goal in nine games since joining from Paris Saint-Germain.

Witnessing the response of the sell-out 26,276 crowd to Messi's league debut, team-mate Kamal Miller said: "I just catch myself watching him instead of picking up on my assignment.

"It's tough to stay focused when you have such a great presence.

"It's pretty surreal to see. He's probably the only man in the world that can get that kind of respect and reception every stadium he goes to."

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And on the chemistry between former Barcelona trio Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Miller added: "It's just instinct to them now.

"They don't even have to think where each other are going to be. They know where each other want the ball."

Fresh from their Leagues Cup triumph earlier this month and U.S. Open Cup semi-final victory last Thursday, this first league victory since May 14 lifted Martino's men off the foot of the Eastern Conference.

After another star performance from Messi, defender DeAndre Yedlin was left to marvel at his South American colleague's impact once again.

The ex-Newcastle full-back said: "It surprises me and it doesn't.

"It surprises me because it's just unbelievable to see but it doesn't surprise me because I've seen it.

"When we found out that he wouldn't be starting, I expected there was going to be a couple of angry fans.

"But if I was a kid or a fan and I came, I would want to see the greatest to ever play the game as well so I can't blame them."

Messi and his team-mates will now return to Florida before hosting Nashville on Wednesday night.