Lionel Messi returns from ban, delivers dramatic show in final minutes

Dubai: Lionel Messi made a dramatic return from a one-match suspension, setting up two goals—including a last-second winner—as Inter Miami edged Atlas 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener on Wednesday night.

It was Messi’s first appearance since he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star Game. The Argentine talisman made his presence felt instantly, assisting on both of Miami’s goals, including the decisive strike deep into stoppage time.

Messi set up Marcelo Weigandt for the 96th-minute winner after a tense match that saw Atlas equalise late. Initially flagged offside, Weigandt’s goal was confirmed following a VAR review, sending Chase Stadium into celebration.

“It’s a competition that we always do well in,” Messi told Apple TV in Spanish. “I think we did a great job against a great team.”

Earlier, Messi helped open the scoring in the 58th minute, threading a pass to Telasco Segovia after receiving a through ball from Sergio Busquets. Rivaldo Lozano levelled for the Mexican side in the 80th.

The win capped a strong July for Messi, who was named MLS Player of the Month after scoring eight goals and providing five assists as Inter Miami went 4-1-1 in league play.

Tensions flared briefly during a scrappy first half, when Atlas coach Gonzalo Pineda and Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano exchanged words after an Atlas player stayed down injured during open play.

“It’s just a football situation,” Pineda said via an interpreter. “I was protesting that play. I told him (Mascherano) that it was nothing against him. We talked about it in the dressing room. Nothing beyond that.”

Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo kept the hosts in the match with three key first-half saves, including a sliding effort to deny Eduardo Aguirre’s header. Luis Suaárez also came close, smashing a shot off the crossbar on the final play of the half.

The match also marked the debut of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s longtime national teammate, who officially signed with Inter Miami last week. After Weigandt’s late winner, De Paul joined Messi and Suárez in jubilant celebration.

Pineda admitted he was taken aback by Messi’s elation at full-time.

“He’s won so much,” he said. “He’s usually quite even-keeled.”

Mascherano explained the emotional response.

“We play to win,” he said. “That’s what this beautiful sport is about… We didn’t play brilliantly, but we won in epic fashion. The celebrations were just a release of everything we were feeling in that moment.”

— With inputs from AP