Inter Miami star Lionel Messi came off the bench, and was unable to leave his mark in a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night.
Messi entered in the 61st minute and missed a shot on target, nearly delivering the game-sealing goal in the 83rd minute. Messi’s strike was blocked at the net, and a putback attempt by Luis Suarez was also denied by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan, denying a third goal for Inter Miami.
The missed opportunities led to a frantic finish, which saw Atlanta United’s Aleksei Miranchuk score a pristine left boot in the 84th minute to force the draw. Saba Lobzhanidze (56′) also scored for Atlanta.
Inter Miami was unable to hang on for the victory behind goals by David Ruiz (29′) and Leo Campana, who became the club’s all-time leading scorer with his 30th goal in the 58th minute, passing Argentine standout Gonzalo Higuain.
Still, Inter Miami remains in firm control of the MLS Supporters’ Shield race with 63 points atop the Eastern Conference despite playing the match with coach Tata Martino, midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Tomas Aviles out due to yellow card accumulation.
“We came in here to try to win the game. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the three points we expected,” Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales said.
Messi, who isn’t far from Inter Miami’s all-time goals scored mark with 27,looked spry and made several charges toward the net, dribbling through traffic trying to find his teammates while they often looked for him in return.
It was unclear how much Messi would play in his second match after returning from his right ankle ligament injury he sustained in the Copa America final on July 14.
Messi played roughly 25 minutes in his first road match with Inter Miami since playing in Montreal on May 11. Messi’s appearance in Atlanta was his second this year: His Copa America title run begin with Argentina against Canada on June 20.
Messi played the distance last Saturday in a 3-1 win against the Philadelphia Union, where he scored two goals and delivered a late assist.
The limited minutes Wednesday was intended to ensure Messi could also be available to play against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
Messi has 24 total goal contributions – 14 goals and 10 assists – in 14 MLS matches this season for Inter Miami.
“Leo always looks good, today was no exception,” Morales said of Messi.
“He played almost 30 minutes in which he was active, he participated. He had a chance to score. I think that as always Leo’s performance has been very good and positive for the team.”
Aleksei Miranchuk goal: Atlanta United 2, Inter Miami 2
Atlanta United’s Aleksei Miranchuk scored a pristine left boot in the 84th minute to tie this match at 2, setting the stage for a thrilling finish against Messi and Inter Miami.
Messi and the Inter Miami offense have made several attempts to charge the net, but they have been unable to find the net again after this match became tied again.
Leonardo Campana goal: Inter Miami 2, Atlanta United 1
Inter Miami has retaken the lead just minutes after the match was tied with Leonardo Campana’s free kick goal scored in the 58th minute.
It appears Messi is about to enter the match.
Saba Lobzhanidze goal: Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami 1
Atlanta United is on the board in the second half with Saba Lobzhanidze finishing at the net in the 56th minute, and we have a tied game.
The stage might be set for Messi’s entrance.
Messi begins warming up in second half: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 0
Just a few minutes after the second half began, Lionel Messi and three other teammates who started the match on the bench headed to the sideline to begin warming up.
It appears Messi will make an appearance in the Atlanta match tonight.
David Ruiz goal: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta United 0
Inter Miami is on the board, and Lionel Messi loves what he sees from the bench.
David Ruiz scores in the 29th minute, and Inter Miami takes an early lead against Atlanta.
How to watch Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The Atlanta United match against Inter Miami begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) and will be broadcast via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Why is Messi not starting vs. Atlanta United?
It will be Inter Miami’s second of three matches in a week span, which prompted coach Tata Martino to put a potential time limit on the Argentine World Cup champion.
After Inter Miami plays in Atlanta, Messi and the club will face New York City FC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Messi emphatically returned with two goals and an assist in a 3-1 win against Philadelphia last Saturday — his first game since the July 14 Copa America final, which Argentina won after he sustained a right ankle ligament injury.
“Leo is fine, he ended the game well. Tired, obviously,” Martino told reporters Tuesday. “It’s the first 90 minutes in a long time, but it ended very well. He is going to travel to both games. He is available but there are three games this week with travel included, so we have to see it day by day.”
Messi says he was ‘very happy’ after return
Messi scored goals in the 26th and 30th minutes, and assisted Luis Suarez in the 98th minute, playing the distance in his first match since July 14.
“To be honest, I am a little tired, the humidity and heat of Miami doesn’t help,” Messi said in a post-match interview with Apple TV. “But, I was very eager to come back, it had been a long time away from the field. Little by little I started training with the group, I felt good, and that is why we made the decision for me to start. I am very happy, very pleased.”
Messi jerseys lead MLS in sales for second straight season
Messi’s Inter Miami jersey again topped the MLS list for highest-selling jerseys, the league announced Tuesday. His former Barcelona running mates also were ranked high: Luis Suarez (2nd), Sergio Busquets (11th) and Jordi Alba (15th).
MLS Supporters’ Shield race is heating up
Inter Miami has been the front-runner for the Supporters’ Shield, given to the club with the best MLS record, for most of the season. But Messi and Inter Miami will have some stiff competition to win their second title together. Inter Miami leads with 59 points, but the second-place L.A. Galaxy has made up some ground with 55 points.