A Milestone Night in Miami
At 39 years old, Lionel Messi delivered a brace that not only secured a 2‑1 victory for Inter Miami over Atlético de San Luis in the 2026 Leagues Cup opener, but also etched his name as the competition’s all‑time leading scorer with 14 goals in 12 appearances.
The match began with a shock as David Rodríguez opened the scoring for San Luis, a striker known for his spectacular bicycle‑kick winner in the Canadian Premier League final, only to see Miami respond swiftly.
Messi’s first‑half strike came in the 11th minute, a deft volley that showcased his trademark precision, and he doubled the lead just before halftime in the 44th minute, finishing clinically after a swift counter.
Playmaker Casemiro orchestrated the midfield, completing 12 forward passes and contributing nine defensive actions, while left‑back Noah Allen supplied three assists, including a key pass to Micael for the fourth goal.
The victory, however, was tempered by injury concerns; with Germán Berterame sidelined and Luis Suárez suspended, Inter Miami’s options up front are thin, prompting the club to seek additional striker depth.
Next up, Miami will face CF Monterrey, a fixture that could determine their pursuit of a top‑four finish and a berth in the subsequent Champions Cup, a goal the coaching staff has highlighted as a priority.