Lionel Messi has had some incredible attacking partners over the course of his career, but none will be quite like his new teammate Robert Taylor.
The Finland international might be the Inter Miami player benefitting most from the arrival of the Argentine superstar, having assisted a Messi goal and scored from a Messi pass.
Messi has been used to playing with world-class superstars throughout his time in European football, with Ronaldinho, David Villa, Thierry Henry, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Kylian Mbappe among the household names he has played alongside. These were all world famous stars within their own right, having accomplished great things at the top level both with and without Messi.
Taylor could not be any more different to Messi’s former teammates. The midfielder started out in his native Finland before joining the Nottingham Forest academy in his youth.
He was eventually rejected from non-League side Barnet following their relegation, and he went on to have a failed stint at Lincoln City.
From non-league to World stars
Taylor bounced around clubs in Scandinavia for most of his career before joining Miami last year, and despite the glamour of the new MLS franchise, Taylor may still be in disbelief that former Barcelona legends Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba would eventually be playing alongside him.
He has seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a fine goal in the 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Messi’s first start, and his assist last night has really caught the eye.
Taylor picked up the ball at the edge of the box, and delivered a chipped through ball that Messi himself will have been proud of. Messi took the ball onto his chest before firing home, and ran straight to Taylor to credit him for the assist.
The winger previously described merely meeting Messi as “crazy,” let alone assisting him, and he will now try to enjoy some of the extra attention that players receive when playing alongside arguably the greatest to ever play soccer.