Lionel Messi, a forward for Inter Miami, declined to take a penalty in their 3-1 Leagues Cup victory over Orlando City.
Messi has been extremely productive in his first three games with the MLS club, scoring five goals.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner began alongside Josef Martinez, who had not scored for the club since joining, in their match against Orlando.
Early in the second half, Martinez earned a penalty kick, and while most fans at DRV PNK Stadium probably would have anticipated Messi to take it, Martinez instead gave the ball to a Venezuelan player.
Picking up a loose ball, Martinez calmly placed it past Orlando City’s Pedro Gallese.
But Messi scored twice by game’s end.
According to the UK Mirror, Messi is Inter’s penalty taker of choice, but the Argentine captain understood how much scoring a goal would mean to Martinez and the team.
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