Lionel Messi contributed two assists in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory against Atlas during the Leagues Cup Opener on Wednesday night. This marked Messi’s first appearance after he and teammate Jordi Alba took a break from Major League Soccer due to the All-Star Game. He connected with Marcelo Weigandt in the dying moments of the match to secure the win.
Messi also assisted Terrace Cosegobia, who scored the opener in the 58th minute. Rivaldo Lozano equalized for the Guadalajara club in the 82nd minute, and Weigandt’s goal in stoppage time at 96 minutes had to be verified by VAR after initially being disallowed.
This match added to Messi’s tally of five assists in July. He has scored eight goals and has been a crucial player for Miami, helping them achieve a 4-1-1 record in league play.
Both teams had opportunities in a competitive first half, with Miami’s goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo making three saves. Luis Suarez nearly scored with a shot hitting the crossbar in the final moments of the half. Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, Messi’s national teammate, made his debut for Inter Miami after officially joining the club last week.
Opinion: Messi’s impact in the Leagues Cup not only highlights his growing influence in American soccer but also raises the profile of the league internationally. For fans, witnessing iconic players like Messi excel in the U.S. enhances the excitement and legitimacy of Major League Soccer.
