Lionel Messi showed up and took full control of the game despite the weather and the scoreline. The 39-year-old legend provided two assists in a chaotic 2-2 draw against Atlanta United on Saturday night. Heavy rain and lightning forced a delay of around two hours, yet the crowd roared when he finally emerged from the tunnel. This performance proves he still belongs at the top of the game, even after stepping back from international duty.
The Weather and The Wait
Conditions were brutal at Nu Stadium, with the pitch flooded and the kick-off pushed back significantly. Organizers had no option but to wait as heavy rain caused a roughly two-hour delay from the scheduled start. Fans cheered when players came out for warm-ups, but the noise grew even louder for the Argentine star. The match eventually kicked off more than 90 minutes late, setting the stage for a gritty battle. Miami refused to sit back despite the long wait, and they struck first through a header from Casemiro.
Two Assists and A High Rating
Messi’s impact was immediate and clear, as he whipped in the corner for the opening goal. He later lofted a pass that set up Luis Suarez’s 12th goal of the season just before halftime. On Saturday night, during his first match since retiring from his native Argentina, Messi recorded two assists for Inter Miami.
While some reports cite a 7.3 rating from Sofascore, other sources list his performance score at 7.9 out of 10. His teammates felt the energy, with Rodrigo De Paul calling the night “Very emotional” in a prematch interview. De Paul stated that having Messi out there on the field made the team live with so much excitement.
The Final Whistle and The Standings
Atlanta fought hard to get back into the game, equalizing through Miguel Almiron and later Breel Embolo. Embolo converted an 87th-minute penalty to earn the visitors a point after goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved an earlier Almiron spot-kick. The result ensured Inter Miami stayed second in the Eastern Conference of the American league “MLS”.
Goal.com reported that Atlanta United remains stuck in the penultimate spot despite the late fight. Messi showed he can still dictate the pace, but the late penalty against suggests the defense needs to tighten up. The draw keeps the race tight, but the 39-year-old’s two assists prove he is still the best player on the pitch.
