Lionel Messi Reaches Historic Milestone in Leagues Cup 2026

Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his career after scoring twice in Inter Miami's 4-2 win over Atletico San Luis in the opening round of Leagues Cup 2026 on Wednesday.

The Argentine captain entered the night with a chance to rewrite tournament history and did exactly that. His two goals lifted his overall tally to 14, making him the highest scorer the competition has seen since its launch between Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs.

Inter Miami faced an early setback when David Rodriguez found the net in the fourth minute. The visitors looked sharp, but their advantage lasted only seven minutes before Messi calmly brought Miami level with a precise finish.

Momentum shifted quickly. Telasco Segovia put the home side ahead in the 26th minute after a flowing attacking move, giving Miami complete control before the interval.

Messi struck again moments before half-time, extending the lead with another clinical finish. Deep into stoppage time, Brazilian defender Micael added a fourth goal, leaving Atletico San Luis with a mountain to climb.

Rafa Llorente managed to score after the break, but the visitors never seriously threatened a comeback as Inter Miami comfortably saw out the contest.

The latest milestone adds another memorable achievement to Messi's growing legacy with the Florida club. He played a key role in guiding Inter Miami to the inaugural title in 2023, and his latest performance suggests he remains central to the club's ambitions in Leagues Cup 2026.

Elsewhere in the competition, FC Dallas defeated Queretaro 2-0, while Leon edged Nashville 1-0 to begin their campaigns with valuable victories.

The tournament has only just begun, yet Lionel Messi has already provided its biggest headline, setting a record that could stand for years.