Despite the on-field clash, Coccaro and Messi ended things with a hug and a shirt swap.

• won with a dramatic last-minute goal
• Coccaro opened up about his tense moment with Messi
• He later called Inter’s No. 10 “the greatest player in history.”

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  It was one of the most emotional moments of the Leagues Cup opening round – a fiery exchange between Atlas striker Matías Cóccaro and Lionel Messi, capped by a dramatic last-minute winner for Inter Miami. The clash between the two players may have looked tense on the field, but as Cóccaro later explained, it ended in mutual respect.

  “When we scored the equalizer, I hyped up my teammates, and he [Messi] didn’t like it,” said Cóccaro. “Then, when they got their goal, he celebrated it right in front of me. But after the game, we hugged. I told him: ‘What could I possibly say to you?’ I’m a competitor; I always want to win. He understood that and 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."

  He added, “He’s the greatest in history. With him, I just shut up… with no one else. And Suárez – he’s my idol."

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  WHAT MATÍAS CÓCCARO SAID

  Cóccaro explained that Messi realized it was nothing personal – just part of the fight and intensity that comes with defending Atlas.

  “He understood that I give everything for Atlas, and I live it that way. That’s why he celebrated like that. But then he came over and apologized – which he didn’t have to do. That gesture makes him even greater,” he explained.

  Messi and Cóccaro ended the night with a heartfelt embrace and a jersey swap – a moment the Uruguayan is unlikely to forget, especially given how emotional and intense the match was.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Lionel Messi had an epic night against Atlas: he recorded 73 touches, provided two assists, created three big chances, completed five key passes, delivered seven of eight accurate long balls, completed seven of 11 dribbles, and won nine of 15 duels.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ATLAS?

  The loss leaves Atlas in a tough spot, nearly eliminated from knockout stage contention. However, they still have two group matches left – against Orlando City on Saturday and Atlanta United next Wednesday – in hopes of turning things around.