Former American player: 'Messi scares opponents in MLS like ghosts'
In the match between FC Dallas - Inter Miami in the 1/8 round of the Leagues Cup today, in addition to two goals scored by himself, Messi also took a free kick to make Marco Farfan own an own goal. The American defender headed like a striker into the center of the home goal, instead of clearing the ball high. That own goal helped Inter Miami shorten the score to 3-4 minutes 80, and also set the stage for Messi to equalize five minutes later. After drawing 4-4 in regular time, Inter Miami won 5-3 in the penalty shootout.
According to Twellman, Farfan's reaction shows that he is too afraid of Messi. "The same thing happens in other sports strangely," commented the former striker born in 1980. "When good players show up, they force you to do things that are out of your reach. The New England Patriots football team is an example. People will see a ghost when Bill Belichick and Tom Brady show up. In the four matches that Messi played, every time the opponent saw ghosts."
The two goals against FC Dallas are Messi's third double in three consecutive games. Adding a goal against Cruz Azul in his debut on July 21, the 36-year-old striker had seven goals in four matches for Inter Miami. His team made it to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, meeting the winner of the Charlotte - Houston Dynamo pairing.
After the game, coach Nico Estevez of FC Dallas said: "I don't think there's much to say. Everyone has seen it. A free kick around that area, for Messi, is like a penalty. You can just pray for the ball to go out or he slips before he touches the ball."
Messi moved to Inter Miami in mid-July, after his contract with PSG expired. Currently, he holds the record of scoring 672 goals for Barca, 103 goals for Argentina, winning seven Golden Balls and 43 collective titles. He is on track to break Gonzalo Higuain's record of 29 goals for Inter Miami. "Players like Messi will help others improve," added Estevez. "Because, when you face players like that, you have to work harder than you have. You can see how our players improved themselves this game."
The Leagues Cup is an annual tournament launched in 2019 between clubs from the American Professional Football League (MLS) and Mexico's Liga MX in North America. This year's tournament will take place from July 21 to August 19 with all 77 matches held in the US or Canada. For the first time in history, the 2023 Leagues Cup will feature all of the MLS and Liga MX teams - a total of 47 teams, when both will be suspended.
If crowned, Messi will help Inter Miami make history when becoming the first representative of MLS to win the Leagues Cup. The title in this arena two seasons ago belonged to two Mexican clubs, Cruz Azul (2019) and Leon (2021). The 2020 and 2022 tournaments will not take place, respectively, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the World Cup in Qatar.
