Lionel Messi Shakes Off Rust to Lead Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Victory
Lionel Messi admitted he struggled with rhythm in the first half but still set up both goals—including a stoppage-time winner—as Inter Miami opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Atlas at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night.
Returning from a one-game suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game, Messi dismissed the idea that the break helped him.
“The heat made it tough, and not playing the other day didn’t help,” Messi said after the match. “Some players might benefit from rest, but I need to compete. The more I play, the better I feel. In the first half, I felt the lack of rhythm, but the important thing is we won.”
The MLS had barred Messi from Inter Miami’s previous match against FC Cincinnati after he skipped the All-Star Game without approval. Against Atlas, he assisted Marcelo Weigandt’s late winner—originally ruled offside before VAR overturned the decision.
Since May 28, Messi has directly contributed to 21 of Inter Miami’s last 27 goals in all competitions.
Messi Emphasizes Leagues Cup Importance
“This tournament matters to us—we always compete hard,” Messi said. “Facing Mexican teams is a great test, and the format changes make it exciting. Winning is crucial because MLS teams haven’t always done well in this competition. We need to outscore our rivals while we have the chance.”
De Paul Debuts, Links Up with Messi
New signing Rodrigo De Paul made his Inter Miami debut, combining effectively with his Argentina teammate Messi in attack.
Head coach Javier Mascherano highlighted De Paul’s impact: “He brings experience, quality, and a strong connection with Messi—both on and off the pitch. We must take advantage of that understanding because players like them are rare.”
What’s Next
Inter Miami will host Necaxa on Saturday before finishing the Leagues Cup group stage against Pumas. With Messi regaining his sharpness, the team aims to build momentum in the tournament.
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