Lionel Messi starts life after Argentina with two assists as Inter Miami draw

Lionel Messi returned to club football after announcing his retirement from Argentina and immediately made his presence felt for Inter Miami, scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United. The result denied Miami victory on a rain-soaked night, but Messi showed once again that stepping back from international duty has not diminished his influence on the pitch.

The match marked Messi’s first appearance since confirming his time in Argentina was coming to an end. Despite a delay of more than 90 minutes due to heavy rain and lightning, the 39-year-old received a huge reception when he appeared in the warm-up, with the crowd particularly loud as he emerged from the tunnel.

“It was very emotional,” Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said before the game.

“We lived with such excitement to have him there on the pitch. It brought us so much joy to see the Argentina shirt around the world and he always had the number 10 on his back,” he added.

Messi then turned that expectation into an influential performance. In the 32nd minute, he took a corner kick that Casemiro headed into the far corner to give Miami the lead.

Atlanta responded almost immediately through Miguel Almirán, but Messi was involved again on the stroke of half-time. His involvement in the move helped create an opening for Telasco Segovia whose perfectly balanced pass found Luis Surez. The former Barcelona forward calmly finished into the far corner to restore Miami’s lead.

MESSI BACK IN THE LIGHT

Messi failed to add to his own score despite several opportunities. He was particularly close in second-half stoppage time when Atlanta tested back-to-back efforts, with one saved and the other deflected.

Inter Miami appeared on their way to another win before Atlanta earned a late penalty. Almirán had earlier seen his free-kick saved by Dayne St. Clair, but Breel Embolo made no mistake from 12 yards in the 87th minute to tie the game on his MLS debut.

Miami looked for a winner during the closing stages, but Atlanta held firm and took the point. So Messi’s return ended without a goal, yet his two assists ensured he remained at the heart of Miami’s attacking threat.

After the draw, Inter Miami is second in the Eastern Conference with 43 points, 10 behind leaders Nashville, with 11 regular season games remaining. Meanwhile, the night offered Messi an early glimpse of what his international career could look like after Argentina, with his sights set firmly on club football now.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

06 Sep 2026 10:21 IST