How unheralded Inter Miami player shines in Lionel Messi's shadow

Lionel Messi is off to a stellar start in the States.

On Wednesday, he scored yet another brace — his second consecutive two-goal match — to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup.

But while Messi's performance was strong, perhaps the most eye-catching thing about this Miami team is how much better the rest of the squad looks now that Messi is present.

No one embodies this more than Finnish utility player Robert Taylor. He spent the early years of his career bouncing around the English lower divisions, watching contracts disappear as his teams went through various financial hardships. He returned to Finland in his mid-20 unsure of his future and considered leaving the sport altogether.

When Inter Miami signed Taylor in 2022, he looked solid. He is an attacking threat in midfield and willing to do whatever his coaches needed. 

Messi's arrival this summer could've made a player like Taylor nervous and caused him to struggle. But instead of shrinking into Messi's shadow, Taylor has taken this opportunity to play with a legend and make the absolute most of it. He's on fire for Miami, doing lots of the important — and often under-appreciated — creative work that allows Messi to score.

Take a look at Inter Miami's brilliant first goal against Orlando. Messi's finish is impeccable, but it's Taylor's patient, perfectly timed chip that allows Messi to fire past the goalkeeper.