Messi returns to MLS action with two assists in Inter Miami draw

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Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi goes up for a header during a Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season football match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United FC at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, on September 5, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

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Lionel Messi set up both goals for Inter Miami as the Major League Soccer champions drew 2-2 with Atlanta United on Saturday in the Argentina star’s first match since announcing his retirement from international football.

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Thunderstorms and lightning delayed the start for 90 minutes, but there were sparks aplenty on the field after with Messi, Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, at the heart of the action.

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Miami grabbed the lead in the 32nd minute when Brazil’s Casemiro rose to head home Messi’s corner.

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Atlanta equalized three minutes later when former Newcastle forward Miguel Almiron blasted home a low shot.

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Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez put Miami into the lead with a measured finish on the cusp of half-time after a move down the left started by Messi.

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But Swiss striker Breel Embolo struck home an 87th-minute penalty to secure a share of the spoils.

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In Toronto, Derrick Etienne scored two minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a dramatic 4-4 draw in a wild eight-goal thriller against Chicago.

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Josh Sargent scored a hat-trick for Toronto, but Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie scored twice before an own goal and Robert Lewandowski’s 63rd minute strike put the visitors 4-3 up.

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Philadelphia beat Montreal 2-0 as 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored in the 75th minute.

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It gave the teenager four goals and seven assists this season, the most scoring contributions by a 16-year-old in a season, eclipsing the mark of 10 by Freddy Adu in 2005.

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In Orlando, Antoine Griezmann’s goal in the 28th minute gave the hosts a 1-0 home victory over San Diego

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Guilherme Biro scored in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Austin with San Jose.

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