Posted by As Inter Miami defeated Orlando City 3-1 in the League Cup, forward Lionel Messi declined the opportunity to take a penalty shot.
In his first three games for the MLS team, Messi already has five goals.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner began with Josef Martinez against Orlando, who hadn’t scored a goal for the team since joining.
Early in the second half, Martinez was awarded a penalty, and even though most spectators at DRV PNK Stadium expected Messi to step up from 12 yards, he opted to pass it to the Venezuelan instead.
Pedro Gallese, the goalkeeper for Orlando City, was defeated by Martinez after picking up the ball.
However, Messi scored two goals to cap the evening.
The Argentina captain was aware of how much a goal would mean to Martinez and the team, according to The UK Mirror, even if Messi is Inter’s official penalty taker.