Lionel Messi again proved to be decisive for Inter Miami and provided assistance to stop and ensured a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Mexican side atlas on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale in his group opener Leagues Cup in Fort Lauderdale.
With a match that seemed to be the end level, Messi released a moment of brilliance of the trademark in the sixth minute of the added time. Argentine Maestro on the second part of the face through the goal for Marcelo Weigandt, which tucked him from the near range. The goal was initially expelled for offside, but the VAR reviews overrun this decision and handed over Inter Miami to a dramatic late winner.
Messi had previously helped the opening goal in the 57th minute. After receiving the passage from Sergio Busquets near the left side of the six yard box, the ball calmly overturned in the way of Telasco Segovia. The Venezuelan midfielder seemed to lose his position for a moment, but he managed to put the ball into the unguarded net.
Atlas pulled out the level at 80. A minute over Jose Lozan, who fired home with his left foot in the middle of the scramble in a penalty area in Miami.
When he spoke after the match, Messi acknowledged the physical toll evening and the challenge of returning to a competitive event after the missing previous Inter Miami for MLS rules. According to league regulations, there is no player who does not appear in the All -star game, without a previous exception that is not eligible to play in the next match of his club – the rule he saw Messi sitting against FC Cincinnati.
“It was hard with the heat and it wasn’t played the next day,” Messi said. “Although the rest seems to be beneficial, it is worse for me because I have to compete. I feel physically better, the more matches I play and the more the rhythm I get. They didn’t allow me to compete the next day and I felt it in the first half. But the important thing is that we won.”
The victory not only Kickstarts Miami’s campaign in the revised Leagues Cup Cup, but also emphasizes Messi’s continuing influence. Since May 28, he has now scored or helped 21 from the last 27 goals of the club in all competitions.
“It’s a great competition for us we always look forward to,” Messi added. “It’s a great test against Mexican teams. American teams haven’t won, so it’s important to use. While we play against Mexican parties, the table is on our side – and we have to count it.”
The match also saw a remarkable debut for Rodrigo de Paul, who impressively connected with Messi – his Argentine team – in the attacking phases. The midfielder, the key part of the Argentine World Cup, joined the MLS clothing in motion, which further strengthens their spine.
“Rodrigo gives us a hierarchy – the best player in his main champion, world champion, one of the most important members of the national team,” said Inter Miami Javier Mascherano. “He has a special connection with our best player, on and off the pitch.
“All of us who had the honor of playing with Leo who know Leo, understand how important this connection is. These types of players are rare – they are chosen – and we have to make the most of it.”
Inter Miami will now try to build on this result when they host Necaxa at the Chase stadium on Saturday evening before closing their group phase campaign against Pumas.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
31 July 2025
