Finnish Midfielder Robert Taylor is making waves in Miami, sharing the spotlight with soccer icon Lionel Messi. He caught the attention of casual viewers during Inter Miami’s clash against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
Taylor made an impact when he scored Miami’s opener with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, finding the bottom right corner. However, the spotlight was soon stolen by Lionel Messi’s stunning free kick in stoppage time. The match’s viewership numbers were sky-high as it was Messi’s debut for Inter Miami.
Taylor’s journey has been nothing short of incredible – from battling in England’s lower divisions to now gracing the MLS stage alongside none other than Lionel Messi.
🗣️ Robert Taylor: “I’m taking Spanish lessons and Messi is taking English lessons. The level of conversation is still not the best but on the field it’s different.” pic.twitter.com/y3oPzaou3S
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) August 3, 2023
In 2004, Taylor joined JJK’s youth team and continued with the club until reaching the senior level. He also had spells in England with Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City. At Lincoln, he found himself mostly on the bench with limited playing time.
A loan to Boston Town of the United Counties League in 2013 resulted in just one appearance. Later, Taylor joined Barnet, but a professional contract didn’t materialize after their relegation from the English Football League.
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Moving forward, Taylor played in Finland for JJK in the Ykkönen until 2015 and then joined Veikkausliiga side RoPS. In July 2017, AIK acquired Taylor for $110,000. He spent the 2018 season on loan at Tromsø before making the move permanent for the 2019 season. In January 2020, Taylor signed a three-year deal with Brann, with Ruben Yttergård Jenssen heading the other way.
Finally, in February 2022, Taylor secured a two-year deal with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, embarking on a new chapter in his soccer career. Since his move to the MLS, he has played 63 matches for Inter Miami, scoring eight goals while assisting 11 more.
Robert Taylor explains why Lionel Messi is a god on the soccer field
In a recent interview, Robert Taylor expressed his mesmerization with Lionel Messi’s brilliance since the icon’s arrival in Miami.
“I’ve watched him play all my life at the highest level, and now, to play with him and be in the same team as him is crazy,” the 28-year-old shared with Sky Sports.
Taylor admires Messi’s impeccable decision-making. He claimed he couldn’t recall a single wrong decision made by the Argentine during games or training. The opportunity to learn from Messi excites him, especially when the soccer star personally advises him on positioning in different situations.
Taylor recently made headlines when he disclosed that Messi has been taking English lessons to enhance his communication with the team.
Their on-field chemistry was on full display during Miami’s dominant 4-0 victory over Atlanta last week. Taylor and Messi each scored a couple of goals. Taylor was also instrumental in setting up Messi’s second goal with a brilliant assist before unleashing a thunderous strike of his own.
MESSI X ROBERT TAYLOR BANGERS ONLY 🤯🤯
Taylor puts Messi in with the chip to give us the early lead over Orlando City.#MIAvORL | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/kvb8Lmcccj
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 3, 2023
Once again, the Taylor-Messi duo shined as Taylor provided a perfectly executed chip to set up Messi, giving Inter Miami the lead over Orlando City. The match concluded with a final scoreline of 3-1 in favor of Inter Miami, propelling them to the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.
The Finnish midfielder has become a standout star in Miami, leaving soccer fans awe-inspired with his performances alongside the legendary Lionel Messi. With every match, the Taylor-Messi combination continues to light up the field for the Inter Miami fans.