Lionel Messi starts life after Argentina with two assists in Inter Miami draw

Lionel Messi returned to club action after announcing his Argentina retirement and set up both Inter Miami goals. The 39-year-old influenced the contest despite Miami conceding a late penalty to draw 2-2.Messi provided two assists in Inter Miami's 2-2 draw against Atlanta. (Photo: Reuters)Lionel Messi returned to club football after announcing his Argentina retirement and immediately made his presence felt for Inter Miami, setting up both goals in a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United. The result denied Miami a victory on a rain-hit night, but Messi once again showed that stepping away from international duty has not diminished his influence on the pitch.The match marked Messi's first appearance since he confirmed that his time with Argentina was coming to an end. Despite a delay of more than 90 minutes because of heavy rain and lightning, the 39-year-old received a huge reception when he emerged for the warm-ups, with the crowd particularly vocal when he came out of the tunnel.“It was very emotional,” Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said before the match.“We lived with so much excitement having him out there on the field. It brought us so much joy to see the Argentina jersey all over the world, and it always had a No. 10 on the back," he added. Messi then turned that anticipation into an influential performance. He delivered an outswinging corner in the 32nd minute that Casemiro powered into the far corner with a header, putting Miami ahead.Atlanta responded almost immediately through Miguel Almirón, but Messi was involved again before half-time. His involvement in the move helped create the opening for Telasco Segovia, whose perfectly weighted pass found Luis Surez. The former Barcelona forward calmly finished into the far corner to restore Miami's lead.MESSI BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT Messi was unable to add to his own scoring tally despite several opportunities. He was particularly close in second-half stoppage time, when consecutive efforts tested Atlanta, with one saved and another deflected away.Inter Miami appeared on course for another victory before Atlanta earned a late penalty. Almirón had earlier seen his spot-kick saved by Dayne St. Clair, but Breel Embolo made no mistake from 12 yards in the 87th minute to level the contest on his MLS debut.Miami pushed for a winner during the closing stages, but Atlanta held firm to claim a point. Messi's return therefore ended without a goal, yet his two assists ensured he remained central to Miami's attacking threat.The draw leaves Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference on 43 points, 10 behind leaders Nashville, with 11 regular-season matches remaining. For Messi, meanwhile, the night offered an early glimpse of what his post-Argentina international career could look like, with his focus now firmly back on club football.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 10:21 IST