This match was especially significant as it marked the first time Messi and Sergio Busquets, former Barcelona teammates, appeared together in Inter Miami's starting lineup since joining Major League Soccer (MLS).

Messi wasted no time asserting his presence on the field. In the eighth minute, Busquets played a precise ball over Atlanta's defense, finding Messi, who initially missed his shot but quickly scored the rebound, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. In the 22nd minute, Messi struck again, capitalizing on a counterattack, this time with an assist from Robert Taylor, who later scored Miami's third goal, securing a 3-0 advantage by halftime in the Leagues Cup match.

After the break, Taylor scored once more with an assist from Messi, showcasing the Argentine's remarkable playmaking skills. In the 78th minute, Messi left the field, receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the home crowd. Busquets was substituted six minutes earlier, making way for Victor Ulloa.

Miami manager Gerardo Martino expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "It was a good performance and I'm pleased we were able to make our fans happy. A very good game, and we took another step in the right direction." The victory allowed Miami to advance to the round of 32 in the Leagues Cup, where they will host an opponent yet to be determined.

Remarkably, this match also marked Messi's 100th goal against different clubs, with Atlanta United becoming the latest team to experience the Argentine's scoring prowess.

The reunion of Messi and Busquets on the field was highly anticipated, given their 13-year stint together at Barcelona and their enduring friendship since then. Busquets expressed his joy at playing alongside Messi again, emphasizing how easy it was to connect with him on the field.

Martino, who previously managed both Messi and Busquets during his time at Barcelona, was not surprised to see the duo combining effectively for the opening goal. He praised their ability to create space and acknowledged the positive impact their presence had on the team's spirit and confidence.

The match also held sentimental value for Martino as he faced his former club, which he led to the MLS Cup title in 2018. Messi's captaincy was confirmed by Martino, emphasizing the influence the global superstar has on fans and teammates alike.

Messi's earlier debut for Inter Miami in a dramatic win over Cruz Azul had already showcased his match-winning abilities, and fans were excited to witness his magic on the field once again. His trademark free-kick goal during that game further solidified his status as a star player.

Inter Miami and Atlanta United were competing in the inaugural Leagues Cup competition, a prestigious tournament between MLS and Liga MX sides. Messi could soon make his official debut in an MLS game, potentially facing Charlotte on August 20.

While Messi's presence has been a game-changer for Inter Miami, another former Barcelona player, Jordi Alba, who signed with the team on July 20, will have to wait for his debut as he was not included in the squad list for the match against Atlanta.