Lionel Messi delivered an immediate impact in his Leagues Cup debut, scoring two goals in a single half to lead Inter Miami to a comeback victory against Atlético de San Luis in a match briefly disrupted by weather conditions.

The Argentine forward returned to the starting lineup in commanding fashion, orchestrating an offensive surge that erased an early deficit for the Major League Soccer side.

Weather Delay Tests Momentum in Leagues Cup Opener

Play between Inter Miami and Atlético de San Luis faced a temporary pause due to a lightning storm in the area. Match officials halted proceedings to ensure player safety before conditions cleared, allowing the fixture to resume without further interruption.

A First-Half Double Propels Inter Miami

Inter Miami entered the tournament opener looking to establish early dominance, but fell behind after an aggressive start from Atlético de San Luis. Messi responded by taking control of the final third, slotting home his first goal following a fluid passing sequence, then adding a second before the referee blew the whistle for the interval.

Managing Squad Load and Tournament Ambitions