Then came two assists as 10-man Inter Miami came back to draw NYCFC in their MLS opener.The latest was an absolute stunner, as Messi plucked a Luis Suarez pass out of the air, then scorched the inside of the near post with an across-body rocket.

A gorgeous first-half goal from Lionel Messi set the tone for Inter Miami, which won the second leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup first-round matchup against Sporting Kansas City by a comfortable 3-1 margin on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Inter Miami hope to book a spot in the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday, hosting Sporting Kansas City after taking an advantage in the first leg. Javier Mascherano's side battled extreme winter weather in Kansas City a week ago and won 1-0 in the first leg,