Messi with the assist. Did Inter Miami win? VIDEO

Lionel Messi returned to club action with another productive performance, but Inter Miami were unable to turn his creativity into three points.

Details: Inter Miami drew 2-2 at home against Atlanta United in the MLS regular season. Messi was officially credited with two assists as the Florida side twice took the lead before conceding a late equalizer.

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Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Messi delivered a corner from the left, and Casemiro rose at the far post to head the ball into the net. It was the Argentine's 11th assist of the MLS regular season.

Atlanta responded only three minutes later through Miguel Almirón, but Inter Miami restored their advantage before the break. Luis Suárez scored in first-half stoppage time after a move involving Messi and Telasco Segovia, with Messi receiving a secondary assist under MLS statistics.

The hosts had an excellent opportunity to protect the lead when goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved Almirón's penalty in the 73rd minute. However, Atlanta eventually found their equalizer in the 87th minute, when Breel Embolo converted another penalty and made it 2-2.

It is worth noting that Messi has now reached 30 goal contributions in the 2026 MLS regular season — 18 goals and 12 assists. He became the first player in league history to reach the 30-goal-contribution mark in three different seasons.

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