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Words simply fail to capture what Lionel Messi continues to do at this stage of his career, as the 39-year-old keeps leaving audiences speechless across every competition he enters.
Returning to the starting lineup for the first time since the 2026 World Cup final on Wednesday, the Argentine netted twice in the first half as Inter Miami defeated Liga MX's Atlético de San Luis in their 2026 Leagues Cup opener, launching the Herons' bid for a second title in the tournament following their triumph during Messi's debut weeks in 2023.
San Luis, a club connected to Atlético Madrid's international network, struck first through David Rodríguez — the player celebrated for his bicycle kick in the snow during last year's Canadian Premier League final with Atlético Ottawa. However, that early lead only ignited Miami's response, with Messi leveling with a delicate volley in the 11th minute before Telasco Segovia put the hosts ahead at the 26-minute mark.
Lionel Messi is BACK for @InterMiamiCF!
First-time finish for the equalizer vs. Atlético San Luis 👏
📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/42t4HpB0fp pic.twitter.com/nBQ63LBwF8
Capitalizing on the impressive play of left back Noah Allen, who registered three assists in the opening half, Messi added his second in the 44th minute, before center back Micael rounded off a fourth goal just before the break. Although Rafa Llorente pulled one back with a stunning long-range strike to cut the deficit to two, it wasn't sufficient to trouble the 2025 Leagues Cup runners-up.
With his brace, Messi surpassed all others to become the Leagues Cup's all-time top scorer with 14 goals in 12 appearances, stepping up as his team enters the tournament without proven attacking options due to Germán Berterame's injury and Luis Suárez's suspension.
Here are Sports Illustrated's key observations from the opening win.
Messi Doesn't Miss a Beat
It seems that every time Messi takes to the field for Miami, another record falls. On Wednesday, he claimed the Leagues Cup's all-time scoring crown and delivered a commanding performance in his first start following the biggest setback of his storied career's final chapter.
His capacity to dictate the flow of the match was the most striking element. Deployed up front alongside promising Inter Miami academy product Dániel Pintér, Messi was responsible for generating and finishing nearly every attacking move. Pintér, despite his encouraging development, remains too young to lead the line on his own — and with Suárez and Berterame sidelined, the entire offensive burden rests on Messi's shoulders.
The volleyed finish from Allen's precise delivery was the kind of goal only a handful of players in history could produce, and the darting run Messi made into the box was so deceptive that he found himself briefly unmarked, giving him the space to convert. Beyond his brace, he registered five shots and provided the assist for Micael's goal in a quintessential Messi display.
But wait, there's more! 💥
Messi scores his second goal of the first half vs. San Luis 🤯 pic.twitter.com/vCmwoydGkF
How many more times can Messi produce moments like that? How deep can he carry them in this competition? Time catches up with everyone eventually, but it's clearer than ever that it hasn't come close to catching the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner yet.
"The guys were showing me the first goal he scored and how he made that shot. It was something very complicated," said manager Guillermo Hoyos after the match. "Anyone who plays football knows how difficult it is to have that precise and clinical space and timing.
"And to place that ball that is coming from the left to the right, and shoot it to the right ... if we were talking about painting, I will call him Picasso"
Casemiro's Vision Helps Allen, Messi
Apple TV color commentator and former player Maurice Edu may have put it best when he remarked that Casemiro operates within this Inter Miami side "with a cigar in his mouth," capturing just how effortlessly and composedly the Brazilian orchestrates the game for the Herons.
On the opening goal, which was defined by Allen's pinpoint delivery and Messi's clinical finish, the move originated from a sweeping diagonal through ball by Casemiro. It was one of 12 passes the former Premier League and La Liga stalwart played into the final third in a match where he barely seemed to shift out of second gear, yet still managed to leave a significant mark.
Gooool!! Micaeeel! 🤩🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/iXIcyfkDYY
While San Luis' defensive structure didn't present the sternest challenge, Casemiro's influence at Miami has grown with every appearance. These were his first meaningful minutes alongside Messi, and the combination was breathtaking — all while making Allen look more like Jordi Alba than ever before.
And beyond his impact in the attacking phase, his defensive instincts remain equally impressive, as he led all players with nine defensive contributions and recorded six ball recoveries.
Miami Needs Real Striker Depth
Late in the contest, after attacking midfielder Mateo Silvetti was forced off with a dislocated shoulder, Messi was seen clutching his right hamstring with a pained expression visible to viewers worldwide. For an Inter Miami side already lacking goalscoring depth, the prospect of losing Messi could prove devastating, particularly if he is not fully fit for the next two Leagues Cup fixtures.
Yet the entire evening underscored a deeper issue: Miami is in need of affordable striker depth.
In MLS this season, Miami has leaned on a remarkable and unexpected scoring run from 39-year-old Suárez and made a high-profile offseason move to acquire Berterame, who has failed to meet expectations even before picking up an injury against CF Montréal. What Miami lacks is a reasonably priced yet capable forward who can fill the striker role — forcing Hoyos to deploy players like Pintér or Messi out of their natural positions.
Inter Miami's focus remains on marquee names and the academy is showing genuine promise. But, as unglamorous as it may sound, this is a team that could benefit from adding a depth MLS striker as a straightforward summer signing. Or perhaps take an unconventional route and bring in a standout USL Championship talent, such as Curaçao's Jurgen Locadia — who has nine goals this season for nearby Miami FC — or MLS veteran and current El Paso Locomotive forward Rubio Rubín, to address the gap.
What's Next for Inter Miami?
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Inter Miami's pursuit of the 2026 Leagues Cup continues Saturday night as the Herons host CF Monterrey at Nu Stadium. Rayados, Berterame's former club, now feature Hugo Cuypers leading the line after signing the Belgian forward following his 13-goal start to the MLS season with Chicago Fire — a run that ended when the Illinois club brought in Robert Lewandowski.
Following the Monterrey fixture, Miami will host Club León on Aug. 12, aiming to secure a top-four finish among the 18 MLS clubs in the Leagues Cup group stage, which would open the door to the knockout rounds and a potential trophy run, while also placing them within two wins of qualifying for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.