By Godfrey Gusha
Florida — Lionel Messi marked his return from suspension in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night, delivering two crucial assists to power Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Atlas in their Leagues Cup opener at Chase Stadium.
The Argentinian maestro, who had missed the previous match due to a one game ban for skipping the MLS All Star game, reminded fans of his enduring brilliance. His second assist, a perfectly timed pass to Marcelo Weigandt in the 96th minute, sealed the dramatic win after video assistant referee (VAR) overturned an initial offside call.
“It’s a competition that we always do well in,” Messi said after the match. “I think we did a great job against a great team.”
Messi first made his mark in the 58th minute, setting up Telasco Segovia with a slick through ball from Sergio Busquets. Segovia made no mistake, slotting home the opener. Atlas, however, clawed back in the 80th minute through Rivaldo Lozano, who stunned the home crowd with an equalizer.
But just when it seemed both sides would share the spoils, Messi conjured magic once more. Weigandt’s decisive strike sent Chase Stadium into a frenzy, fireworks lighting up the sky as Messi celebrated with Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez.
The win extended Messi’s remarkable run of form, with the 38 year old now tallying five assists in July, complementing his eight league goals that earned him the MLS Player of the Month award.
The match also featured the debut of Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s longtime national teammate, adding another layer of star power to Inter Miami’s lineup.
Atlas pushed hard throughout the game, forcing Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo into three critical first half saves, while Suárez came agonizingly close with a thunderous effort that rattled the crossbar.
The Leagues Cup, an interleague competition featuring clubs from the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has quickly grown into one of the region’s most competitive tournaments since its inception in 2019
