Ace! Lionel Messi magic has tennis superstar Coco Gauff ‘jumping on the Miami bandwagon’ ahead of bid for US Open glory

The Argentine icon has made a stunning impact since leaving European football - following spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain – and embracing a new challenge in the United States. Messi already has 11 goals to his name and has emerged victorious in all nine of his outings for Inter Miami so far.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was on target again when making his MLS debut off the bench in a meeting with the New York Red Bulls. Gauff, who is readying herself for a shot at US Open glory in the Big Apple, was among the interested observers as Messi took to the field once more.

Gauff is now a fully-fledged member of the Messi fan club, with the 19-year-old posting on social media after seeing the South American produce more moments of match-altering brilliance during his cameo outing against the Red Bulls: “Jumping on the Miami bandwagon.”

Tata Martino has suggested that Messi, following a hectic start to his spell in the States, will be rested over the coming weeks – with Inter Miami due to be back in action on Wednesday when playing host to Nashville.