FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Lionel Messi stated he struggled to seek out rhythm within the first half in opposition to Atlas on Wednesday evening at Chase Stadium earlier than establishing two second-half targets — together with a late winner — in a 2-1 victory to kick off Inter Miami CF‘s Leagues Cup marketing campaign.
Messi was returning to motion after serving a one-game suspension for lacking the MLS All-Star Sport final Wednesday, and stated that whereas relaxation could serve some gamers it wasn’t one thing he wanted.
“The reality is that it was troublesome with the warmth, and never having performed the opposite day. Even when [the rest] appears higher, for me it is worse as a result of I have to compete,” Messi stated after the match. “I really feel good bodily the extra matches I play and get into rhythm.
“The opposite day they did not let me compete, and I felt it within the first half, however the vital factor is that we received.”
Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami held FC Cincinnati to a draw on Saturday, as a result of league’s rule that states any participant who doesn’t take part within the All-Star Sport with out prior approval is ineligible to compete in his membership’s subsequent match.
Messi arrange Marcelo Weigandt in stoppage time for the successful objective, which was initially dominated out for offside earlier than VAR overturned the on-field name and gave Miami the objective.
Messi has now scored or assisted 21 of Inter Miami’s final 27 targets in all competitions, relationship again to Could 28.
“It is an important competitors for us; one we at all times compete in,” Messi stated. “It is an important take a look at for us to face Mexican groups, and the format has modified, so we are able to get pleasure from it and play it. It is an important competitors. [The victory] is tremendous vital.
“The American groups hadn’t received, and it is vital for us to take benefit as a result of we compete in opposition to one another. Whereas we’re enjoying in opposition to Mexican groups, the desk is on our aspect, and we’ve got to attain greater than the others.”
New Inter Miami arrival Rodrigo De Paul made his debut on Wednesday night, connecting with Argentina nationwide group teammate Messi properly within the assault.
“Rodrigo [De Paul] provides us the hierarchy with a participant in his prime, a world champion, one of the vital gamers on the nationwide group that’s World Champions, and who has a big reference to our greatest participant on and off the pitch,” stated head coach Javier Mascherano.
“All of us who’ve had the chance to play with Leo, to know Leo, to the gamers who’ve that reference to him, we’ve got to make the most of it. We’ve got to make the most of it loads as a result of they’re few and much between, and people gamers are chosen.”
Inter Miami will now put together to face Necaxa on Saturday evening at Chase Stadium earlier than concluding the group stage of the 2025 Leagues Cup event in opposition to Pumas.