Inter Miami commenced their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a match against Atlético de San Luis on August 5, 2026, at the Nu Stadium. The game was notable for Lionel Messi's return to the tournament where he previously led Inter Miami to their first-ever title in 2023. (as.com)
The match began with Atlético de San Luis taking an early lead. However, Messi quickly responded by scoring the equalizer, marking his first goal for Inter Miami since the 2026 World Cup. Prior to this, Messi had not scored since Argentina's Round of 16 match against Egypt in the World Cup. (as.com)
Inter Miami faced challenges due to the absence of key players. Luis Suárez was suspended for six matches, Germán Berterame was sidelined with a head injury, and Tadeo Allende was out with a knee injury. This left Messi as the primary attacking option for coach Guillermo Hoyos. Despite these setbacks, Messi's performance was instrumental in keeping Inter Miami competitive in the match. (as.com)
The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for Inter Miami's upcoming group stage fixtures against Monterrey and León. The team aims to reclaim the Leagues Cup title, having finished as runners-up in the previous edition. (as.com)