Just over a fortnight after the World Cup final, the Argentine talisman inspired a turnaround against Atl. San Luis in their tournament curtain-raiser.
Returning from a 17-day hiatus since his last competitive start, Lionel Messi required a mere 45 minutes to deliver a vintage performance on Matchday 1 of the Leagues Cup.
The encounter with Atl. San Luis began in underwhelming fashion for the Florida outfit, who fell behind after just three minutes. However, the iconic number 10 swiftly seized the initiative, spearheading Inter Miami’s resurgence and directly orchestrating a 4-2 comeback victory with a brace and an assist.
The first flash of genius arrived via a Noah Allen delivery, which Messi met with a sublime first-time volley to restore parity. His celebration reflected his relentless competitive drive, as the Argentine immediately sprinted to retrieve the ball and restart play.
The mercurial forward was agonisingly close to a second shortly after, rattling the crossbar with a powerful effort. Following a goal from Telasco Segovia, Messi again took centre stage to engineer another attacking move alongside Noah Allen, finishing with clinical precision to extend the lead. Operating with a free role on the right flank, the Argentine linked up effectively with the likes of De Paul to dictate the tempo of the team’s offensive play.
Prior to the interval, the number 10 demonstrated his elite dead-ball prowess. From a pinpoint corner kick, he picked out Micael, who powered home a header to net Inter Miami’s fourth goal. The opening 45 minutes served as a definitive masterclass in Messi’s enduring influence on the American side’s frontline.
Proceedings slowed in the second half following a 20-minute rain delay. Atl. San Luis managed to claw one back through Rafa Llorente, but the result was already beyond doubt. With the points effectively secured, Messi was less involved in the final stages, his earlier brilliance having already ensured a winning start to the Leagues Cup—a tournament the Argentine famously won in 2023 to secure his first piece of silverware with the club.