Lionel Messi returned to the field rejuvenated and engaged, yet his efforts were not enough to overcome the effects of Inter Miami’s grueling road trip, resulting in a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night.
Despite Messi's goal in the 62nd minute, Inter Miami succumbed to Atlanta's dominance, with Saba Lobjanidze scoring twice and Jamal Thiaré sealing the victory for Atlanta. Lobjanidze found the net in the 44th and 59th minutes, while Thiaré's sliding goal in the 73rd minute confirmed Inter Miami's third defeat of the season.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino acknowledged the team’s struggles, attributing the lackluster performance to exhaustion. "The truth is we were missing a gear,” Martino stated. “It was a night where the team went backwards compared to other matches."
Despite the loss, Inter Miami maintains its lead in the MLS Eastern Conference, with FC Cincinnati trailing by just one point after their 2-0 defeat to Nashville.
Messi, along with Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, returned to action for the first time since May 18, after a 10-day break that saw them skip the trip to Vancouver. Their presence was felt early, with Messi nearly scoring a header in the opening minutes, but Atlanta’s steadfast defense held strong.
The weariness of travel and the Miami humidity took its toll as Lobjanidze opened the scoring just before halftime. While Messi's goal briefly reignited Inter Miami and its fans, Thiaré’s goal was the final blow.
Inter Miami has struggled on Wednesdays, winning only one of six midweek matches this season. Martino commented on the challenges of the schedule, stating, “When a team gets defeated like we did, it’s an excuse to talk about the trip or the calendar.”
Looking ahead, Inter Miami faces St. Louis City on Saturday night, with Messi’s participation still uncertain. His status will likely be decided after Friday's practice. The match against St. Louis City, ranked 11th in the MLS Western Conference, will be crucial as Messi aims to maintain his form ahead of the Copa América next month, possibly his final major tournament for Argentina.
Messi showed no signs of a lingering leg injury from his May 11 match in Montreal, appearing fit and ready to lead his team. His contributions, although significant, were not enough to overcome Atlanta’s tactical execution.
As Inter Miami regroups, the team hopes to recover its momentum and address the fatigue issues that plagued their performance against Atlanta United.
