Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Tata Martino feels Messi’s latest display is a warning to the club’s opponents. Messi has been able to hit the ground running at his new club in Major League Soccer and has done a fine job for the team since his much-anticipated arrival.

In his first three games for Inter Miami CF, the Argentine has netted five goals and provided an assist despite not playing for a total of 90 minutes in the first two matches.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami CF defeated Orlando City by 3-1 on Wednesday with Messi once again scoring a brace. Messi found the back of the net in the seventh and 72nd minute to give a convincing win to his team in the round of 32 of the Leagues Cup.

“The match the other day [vs. Orlando] was completely different from the previous ones, that is true,” Martino said at a news conference Friday. “There was more friction.

“I attribute it to the fact that there were many South Americans on the pitch. … And obviously there is a respect for the best player in the world, but the reality is that over the 90 minutes each team wants to win. And so it was deserving of him to play on the field the way that he did, and it served up notice to say, ‘Our team is here, watch out.’”

Inter Miami will next take FC Dallas in the round of 16 in the Leagues Cup on Sunday and it will be Messi’s first test outside DRV PNK Stadium. Martino admitted his team will have their work cut against FC Dallas as they are a potent team.

“We expect the typical difficulties of a match like this because you can come out victorious or get eliminated,” Martino said. “But we will be visiting with a more complete team. Dallas has players with great potential from midfield on forward. Will have our work cut out for us.”

Messi will look to continue the good show for Inter Miami CF in the upcoming matches and once again he is going to hold the key.