Lionel Messi made his first start for Inter Miami CF since returning from the FIFA World Cup and scored two goals to guide his team to a come-from-behind 4-2 rout of Atlético de San Luis in its first game of the 2026 Leagues Cup at Nu Stadium.

San Luis struck early when David Rodriguez's header beat Rocco Ríos Novo in the fourth minute, but Miami responded quickly. Messi equalized with an exquisite volley off Noah Allen's cross, then assisted on Telasco Segovia's strike. His second goal came after intricate buildup with Allen, tiptoeing through defenders to bury a close-range finish. The brace made Messi the competition's all-time leading scorer with 14 goals, one ahead of LAFC's Denis Bouanga, and his fifth multigoal game in 12 career Leagues Cup matches. Allen recorded a career-high three assists.

Micael added a header before halftime for a 4-1 lead. A weather delay interrupted the second half after Rafa Llorente's screamer made it 4-2, but San Luis couldn't recover. Luis Suárez was unavailable, serving a six-match ban for spitting on a Seattle Sounders staffer. Miami faces Monterrey next; San Luis plays Nashville SC.