Lionel Messi taunted rival Matias Coccaro after Inter Miami’s dramatic winner against Atlas in their Leagues Cup opener.
The 38-year-old was making his return to action for the MLS giants having served his one-match suspension after skipping the recent All-Star game.
And he made an instant impact as he put in the latest man of the match display from his glittering career.
Messi chipped in with two assists either side of Rivaldo Lozano’s equaliser at the Chase Stadium.
Telasco Segovia opened the scoring in the 47th minute, before Lozano thought he had secured a valuable point for the Mexican side in the 80th minute.
His strike saw Atlas striker Coccaro celebrate wildly in front of the Miami fans behind the goal.
And it appears that Messi was watching on fuming as Coccaro was front and centre on his mind when the Herons went back in front in the sixth minute of added time through Marcelo Weigandt.
How did Lionel Messi react to Inter Miami’s winner?
The 2022 World Cup winner first celebrated alongside Luis Suarez and new teammate and Rodrigo De Paul, before spotting Coccaro.
He broke free of the duo, where he proceeded to fist pump in his opponent’s direction, before pointing at him and shouting in his face.
But speaking after the match, Coccaro revealed there were no hard feelings, with Messi apologising over his actions where he even presented him with his matchworn shirt.
He said: “Right after we scored the equaliser, I started motivating my teammates – we were going for the second goal, that’s why I celebrated like that.
“Then Inter Miami scored again and Messi came to celebrate right in my face, full of emotion.
Coccaro failed to contain his emotions after Atlas scored a late equaliser But he was firmly on Messi’s mind when Miami won the game in injury time Messi celebrated and shouted in Coccaro’s face – for which he later apologised“And what can I say? I had to stay quiet, I mean, he’s the greatest of all time. You can’t say anything back.
“After the game, he came over, hugged me, and apologised. He was really sorry, that says a lot about who he is as a player.
“When someone like Messi speaks to you, you just have to listen. I have nothing but respect for the best in history.”
The Leagues Cup is a competition that holds sentimental value for Messi.
It was the tournament in which he made his debut for Miami after he joined on a free transfer in 2023 after he run his contract down at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Messi would go on to lift the trophy – scoring ten goals in seven matches including in the final and penalty shootout against Nashville SC – in what was Miami’s first piece of silverware in their history.
It was all love between Messi and Coccaro following the full-time whistleGettyWhat did Lionel Messi say after the game?
Messi, who earlier this month created MLS history thanks to his goalscoring exploits, failed to hide his disappointment over his one-match ban.
MLS rules state that any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.
He subsequently missed Miami’s 0-0 draw with Eastern Conference rivals FC Cincinnati.
Speaking after the 2-1 victory over Atlas, Messi remarked: “The truth is that it was difficult with the heat, and not having played the other day.
“Even if [the rest] seems better, for me it’s worse because I need to compete.
“I feel good physically the more matches I play and get into rhythm.
Coccaro was buzzing after getting his hands on Messi’s matchworn shirt“The other day they didn’t let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won.”
Messi added on his side’s quest for more silverware: “It’s a great competition for us; one we always compete in.
“It’s a great test for us to face Mexican teams, and the format has changed, so we can enjoy it and play it. It’s a great competition. [The victory] is super important.
“The American teams hadn’t won, and it’s important for us to take advantage because we compete against each other.
“While we’re playing against Mexican teams, the table is on our side, and we have to score more than the others.”
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