Lionel Messi adjusts his collar as he enters the pitch at the start of the football match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 25. AFP
Lionel Messi adjusts his collar as he enters the pitch at the start of the football match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 25. AFP
Lionel Messi adjusts his collar as he enters the pitch at the start of the football match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 25. AFP
Lionel Messi adjusts his collar as he enters the pitch at the start of the football match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 25. AFP

Lionel Messi makes first start as Inter Miami captain vs Atlanta United


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Lionel Messi made his first start for Inter Miami as captain on Tuesday against Atlanta United after completing his transfer to the MLS side this month.

Tuesday's match also made for Messi's second official MLS game with Inter Miami.

Messi is officially the new captain of the club, which head coach Tata Martino confirmed on Monday, AFP reported.

Earlier this season the captain had been Brazilian midfielder Gregore, but he is out with a foot injury.

DeAndre Yedlin then took the job, and he is the one who handed the band to Messi when the star checked in early in the second half.

Martino said Messi had been the captain in his debut.

Messi made a storybook debut for the South Florida football club last week with a curling free-kick to seal a last-gasp victory.

Before his debut, he had just three full training sessions with Inter Miami after his move.

His arrival at David Beckham's club was met with great applause by football fans hoping to catch the World Cup winner in action.

Ticket prices have soared since “Messi Mania” landed in the US, and fans will have to wait until at least October to buy a $160 Lionel Messi kit.

Sergio Busquets, now reunited with his former Barcelona teammate, was expected to make his first start on Tuesday night as well.

The football legends have played in more than 560 games together.

Watch: Messi winner caps off dream Inter Miami debut

Squads

Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
​​​​​​​Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.

SQUADS

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage

Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Updated: July 26, 2023, 6:16 AM`