In a dramatic Leagues Cup encounter, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Atlas striker Matías Cóccaro were involved in a fiery on-field exchange that nearly boiled over into something personal. However, after the final whistle, both players found common ground, with Messi offering an apology and a heartfelt gesture that left a lasting impression on Cóccaro. The Uruguayan forward, while acknowledging Messi’s brilliance, emphasized his deep respect for the Argentine legend, calling him “the greatest in history.”
The opening round of the Leagues Cup was filled with emotion, none more so than the clash between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Liga MX side Atlas. While the match saw a thrilling late winner for the Herons, it was a fiery exchange between Messi and Atlas striker Matías Cóccaro that captured most of the attention. What started as an intense moment on the field quickly turned into a mutual show of respect after the final whistle.
According to Cóccaro, the tension arose when he celebrated Atlas’ equalizer by hyping up his teammates, which didn’t sit well with Messi. The Inter Miami star responded by celebrating his team’s go-ahead goal right in front of Cóccaro. Despite the on-field animosity, the two players buried the hatchet post-match, with Messi approaching Cóccaro for a hug and a jersey swap.
“I’m a competitor, and I always want to win,” said Cóccaro, explaining the fire behind the incident. “But after the game, we hugged. I told him: ‘What could I possibly say to you?’ He understood that, and then he said, ‘I’ll send you my jersey.’ For him to come over and apologize like that says a lot about who he is. It really left me with a good impression.”
Cóccaro didn’t hold back in praising Messi, referring to him as “the greatest player in history.” He explained that Messi had no ill intentions, acknowledging that the clash was simply part of the intensity of the game.
Messi, known for his sportsmanship, reached out to Cóccaro in an unspoken show of class. This interaction resonated deeply with the Uruguayan forward, who noted that while Messi didn’t have to apologize, his gesture spoke volumes about his character. “He understood that I give everything for Atlas, and I live it that way,” Cóccaro said. “But then he came over and apologized — which he didn’t have to do. That gesture makes him even greater.”
By the end of the night, what started as a heated confrontation had transformed into a moment of sportsmanship, with both players sharing a jersey swap and a hug. For Cóccaro, this encounter with Messi was one he would never forget, especially considering the intensity of the match.
On the pitch, Messi delivered a masterclass performance, contributing two assists and creating three key chances, proving yet again why he is regarded as one of the game’s greatest.
As for Atlas, their hopes of advancing in the Leagues Cup are now hanging by a thread, with the loss leaving them with only two group-stage matches to turn their fortunes around. The pressure mounts as they face Orlando City and Atlanta United in their upcoming fixtures.
