Lionel Messi Tallies 2 Assists in Return from Suspension as Inter Miami Beat Atlas

Lionel Messi's return to the pitch after his one-game suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game went about as expected.

That is, he had a huge impact. The Argentine superstar assisted on both of his club's goals in a 2-1 win over Liga MX's Atlas during Leagues Cup action.

Telasco Segovia was the beneficiary of Messi's first assist, while Marcelo Weigandt scored the game-winner six minutes into second-half stoppage time.

It was the sort of performance that Inter Miami coach coach Javier Mascherano was hoping for following Messi's controversial suspension.

"Regarding Leo, yes, let's hope he's super motivated. The reality is, well, obviously I said it after the Cincinnati game, we didn't expect the suspension. But, well, it's good for us," he told reporters Tuesday. "And the reality is we had to give him a mandatory rest, after many consecutive games. I think in some ways the rest was also good for him to start this new marathon of games we're going to have ahead of the Leagues Cup and continuing with the MLS. So he's a little fresher."

Inter Miami needed a fresh Messi on Wednesday. While the MLS side held 54.6 percent of possession and an 11-6 edge in corners, the two teams were tight in both shots (19-15 advantage for Miami) and shots on goal (7-5 edge for Atlas).

And José Lozano's finish in the 80th minute certainly set the stage for a Atlas to steal a point from the affair.

But Messi wasn't having it. His back-and-forth with his teammates in the buildup to the game's final goal was pure poetry, securing all three points and avoiding a penalty shootout.

Inter Miami were the 2023 Leagues Cup champions before falling in the Round of 16 last year. Thus far, they are off to a positive start in the 2025 edition, thanks to their legendary talisman.