Messi scores brace as Inter Miami beats Atletico de San Luis for first Leagues Cup win

After the World Cup campaign, Messi started for Inter Miami for the first time and remained in great form, scoring a brace to lead the team to a 4-2 comeback victory over Atletico de San Luis in the opening match of the 2026 Leagues Cup, securing a crucial win.

The match kicked off at the Nu Stadium in Miami on Wednesday. The visitors Atletico de San Luis started strongly, taking the lead in the 4th minute when David Rodriguez met a smooth passing move with a header to break the deadlock. However, Inter Miami responded quickly as Messi raced forward, met a cross from Noah Allen from the left, and fired a first-time volley into the net to level the score.

Notably, Luis Suarez was expected to lead the attack during Messi's rest period, but the Uruguayan striker was handed a six-game suspension for inappropriate behavior toward a Seattle Sounders staff member after the 2025 Leagues Cup final. This match was the first of his ban, so he could only watch from the sidelines. This means Suarez, who has scored seven goals in his last four matches, will miss the entire tournament this year.

Midway through the first half, Allen received a clever through ball, beat the offside trap to get behind the defense, then cut the ball back to Trasko Segovia, who followed up with a powerful shot to give Inter Miami the lead. This was Allen's second assist of the match. After that, Messi not only provided an assist but also scored again to complete his brace. Inter Miami's third goal came from a slick team move, again with Allen providing the assist. Messi cleverly twisted away from two defenders in a tight space and slotted home from close range.

With this goal, Messi moved to the top of the all-time Leagues Cup scoring charts with 14 goals, leading Denis Bouanga of LAFC by one goal since the tournament expanded in 2023. In his first MLS match after returning from the World Cup, Messi played 39 minutes. This goal also meant it was the fifth time in his Leagues Cup career (12 appearances) that he has scored at least two goals in a game. Meanwhile, teammate Noah Allen completed his first career assist hat-trick in an official match.

Atletico de San Luis hoped to mount a comeback in the second half, but Inter Miami scored again from a corner kick, with Micael heading in to make it 4-1 heading into halftime, effectively ending any hopes the visitors had. After the break, Rafa Llorente pulled one back for Atletico de San Luis with a spectacular long-range strike, but then heavy rain set in and the match was suspended. When play resumed, the visitors created some chances late on but were unable to find the net again.

For Inter Miami, Mateo Silvetti came on as a substitute in the second half but was subbed off in the 83rd minute due to a left arm injury. Looking back, the Argentina team lost to Spain in the World Cup final, and before heading off to the World Cup at the end of May, Messi helped Inter Miami win four consecutive matches to solidify their high place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Back in 2023, soon after joining, Messi led the team to win the Leagues Cup title. Next, Inter Miami will face Monterrey on Saturday, while Atletico de San Luis will face Nashville SC on Sunday.