sport news Lionel Messi is taunted by 'Ronaldo, Ronaldo' chants from Nashville fans in the ... trends now
Lionel Messi issued the perfect put-down to Nashville fans chanting Cristiano Ronaldo's name - by scoring 14 seconds after they chirped up.
The Inter Miami forward struck from the edge of the penalty area to put Inter Miami 2-0 up and pulverise any 'Ronaldo, Ronaldo' chants as Nashville's rabble fell silent.
Messi had already assisted Luis Suarez and Robert Taylor would go on to add another as Inter Miami advanced to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
That 3-1 win (5-3 on aggregate) sees Messi's chances of lifting North America's version of the Champions League grow and they will face Mexicans Monterrey in the last eight.
The Argentine has made a seamless transition to football in the United States, scoring 16 goals in 19 games and establishing a fine partnership with Suarez.
Lionel Messi silenced chants of 'Ronaldo, Ronaldo' when he scored just 14 seconds after they started
Inter Miami went on to beat Nashville 3-1 and 5-3 on aggregate, reaching the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup
Inter Miami are top of the Eastern Conference with seven points after four games.
Messi's impact has been immeasurable for the team co-owned by David Beckham.
His debut in July was the most-watched match in MLS history and the club have a burgeoning global profile.
He is regularly subjected to 'Ronaldo' chants but brushes those off like a duck sailing through water.
In the MLS this season, he is the joint-top scorer in the league with three goals - although he will be hoping to get clear of Christian Benteke, who is one of the players with the same total.
It all marks a contrast to what was a dire pre-season for the Herons.
Coming into the season, they had won just once in 15 games.
The Herons endured a nightmare pre-season and Messi had to sit some of it out with injury issues.
Fans in America regularly taunt Messi with Cristiano Ronaldo chants but they don't work
Messi has scored 16 goals in 19 games since joining the club owned by David Beckham
Two Argentina friendlies were even cancelled in China after Messi sat out a match against a Hong Kong league XI.
Inter Miami kick-started their pre-season programme with a
