Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) to become the Leagues Cup’s record goalscorer as Inter Miami beat Atletico San Luis 4-2 at home in the 2026 edition’s opening group matches.
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Messi, who helped Miami win the 2023 crown in his first weeks with the Florida club, took his tally in the competition for Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX sides to a record 14 goals. Other Leagues Cup matches on Wednesday saw Dallas beat Queretaro 2-0 and Leon won 1-0 at Nashville. Making his first start since the tournament, the Inter Miami captain struck twice in a 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis in their opening Leagues Cup group-stage match. The brace took Messi to the top of the competition’s all-time scoring charts, adding yet another milestone to his remarkable career as Inter Miami began their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with an impressive victory at home. The Argentine, who guided Inter Miami to the title in 2023 soon after joining the club, now has 14 goals in the tournament featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. The brace took his Leagues Cup tally to 14 goals in just 12 appearances, moving him one clear of Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. It was Messi’s first start since the FIFA World Cup, where he captained Argentina to a second successive final before the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain. The 39-year-old had made his return as a substitute, playing 37 minutes in a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew. Lionel Messi’s teammates also honoured the club captain’s father, who died aged 68 in Rosario, Argentina, on Saturday. close friend and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul delivered an emotional tribute in the only goal Inter Miami scored in their 1-2 defeat While Messi mourns his father’s death. Miami had opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory over Atletico San Luis and will now face Leon on Wednesday in their final group-stage game.
Atletico’s Rafa Llorente scored a second-half consolation. The FIFA World Cup may have concluded last month, but Lionel Messi has wasted no time getting back to breaking records. Messi continued his love affair with the Leagues Cup by becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Messi found the net in the 11th and 44th minutes to inspire Inter Miami to victory and create another historic record. Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also got on the scoresheet, while Noah Allen starred with three assists as Miami stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches. It wasn’t just Inter Miami who paid tribute to Jorge Messi. Messi missed Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup group-stage clash against Monterrey as he remained in Argentina with his family. Monterrey, meanwhile, will visit Nashville.
“Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family,” the club said in a statement.
Earlier, both teams observed a minute’s silence for Jorge Messi before kick-off, while Inter Miami players wore black armbands.
