Following a period of forced inactivity due to a controversial MLS ban, global football icon Lionel Messi made a highly anticipated return to the pitch for Inter Miami, candidly admitting that he needed time to regain his competitive rhythm. Despite the initial adjustment, his presence proved decisive, underscoring his irreplaceable value to the Florida-based squad as they commenced their Leagues Cup campaign.
The Argentine maestro’s return against Atlas on Wednesday night saw him grappling to find his usual tempo during the first half. The brief hiatus from competitive play, while seemingly beneficial for rest, evidently impacted his match sharpness, a sentiment he openly shared post-game.
However, true to his legendary status, Lionel Messi orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in the second half, demonstrating why he remains one of the most influential figures in the sport. His pivotal contributions included laying on both crucial goals for Inter Miami, transforming the complexion of the match.
First, Messi delivered a precise assist that led to Telasco Segovia’s equalizer just before the hour mark. Later, he provided the decisive pass for Marcelo Weigandt’s stoppage-time winner, a goal initially disallowed for offside but rightly overturned by VAR, securing a winning start for his team.
This match further cemented Messi’s astounding impact on Inter Miami’s offensive output. Since late May, he has directly contributed to an astonishing 21 out of the team’s last 27 goals across all competitions, a testament to his continued dominance and game-changing abilities in the MLS.
Reflecting on his performance, Messi articulated his personal need for continuous competition to maintain peak physical condition. He emphasized that even if rest appears beneficial, for him, “it’s worse because I need to compete. I feel good physically the more matches I play and get into rhythm. The other day they didn’t let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won.”
The controversial one-match ban stemmed from Messi’s absence from the MLS All-Star Game, an event he skipped without an officially stated reason at the time. MLS rules stipulate that any player selected for the All-Star Game who misses it without a verified injury must serve a one-match suspension.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano later clarified that Messi’s absence was due to fatigue. Notably, teammate Jordi Alba also faced the same disciplinary action for bypassing the All-Star Game, highlighting the league’s strict adherence to its regulations.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the desire for top players like Messi to participate but reiterating the league’s commitment to its established rules. He stated, “We do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well. We would have loved to have Leo here. We’d love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. After this All-Star Game, we’ll figure out what needs to happen.” This confirms the league’s position on upholding integrity, even concerning its biggest stars in professional soccer.
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