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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Lionel Messi stated he struggled to seek out rhythm within the first half in opposition to Atlas on Wednesday night time at Chase Stadium earlier than organising 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 Recreation final Wednesday, and stated that whereas relaxation could serve some gamers it wasn’t one thing he wanted.
“The reality is that it was tough 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 necessary factor is that we received.”
Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami held FC Cincinnati to a draw on Saturday, because of the league’s rule that states any participant who doesn’t take part within the All-Star Recreation with out prior approval is ineligible to compete in his membership’s subsequent match.
Messi arrange Marcelo Weigandt in stoppage time for the successful aim, which was initially dominated out for offside earlier than VAR overturned the on-field name and gave Miami the aim.
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 amazing competitors for us; one we all the time compete in,” Messi stated. “It is an amazing check 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 amazing competitors. [The victory] is tremendous necessary.
“The American groups hadn’t received, and it is necessary 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 now we have to attain greater than the others.”
New Inter Miami arrival Rodrigo De Paul made his debut on Wednesday night time, connecting with Argentina nationwide workforce teammate Messi properly within the assault.
“Rodrigo [De Paul] provides us the hierarchy with a participant in his prime, a world champion, probably the most necessary gamers on the nationwide workforce 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, now we have to make the most of it. We now have to make the most of it so much 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 night time at Chase Stadium earlier than concluding the group stage of the 2025 Leagues Cup event in opposition to Pumas.
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