Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup game against Necaxa in the 11th minute after a stretch of 30 games for Miami with 18 goals and nine assists.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami 2–2 Necaxa: Takeaways as De Paul Steps Up for Missing Messi. Inter Miami picked up two of a possible three points on Saturday night with a shootout win after a 2–2 draw through 90 minutes against Liga MX’s Necaxa in both teams’ second match of the 2025 Leagues Cup.

Rodrigo De Paul’s debut for Inter Miami ended in a 2-1 win over Atlas in the Leagues Cup, but the Argentine midfielder was quick to admit he’s still finding his way with the team. Signed just four days before the game,