Lionel Messi was compared to painter Pablo Picasso by Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos after he scored twice to help the Herons make a winning start in the Leagues Cup.

Miami beat Liga MX outfit Atletico San Luis 4-2 in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, with Messi taking control of the tie after the Herons fell behind to David Rodriguez's early header.

Messi equalised with a glorious volley from Noah Allen's cross, then took in a low delivery from the same player in a crowded penalty area before lashing into the roof of the net.

Telasco Segovia and Micael were also on target for the MLS Cup holders, the latter from a Messi assist off a corner, with Rafa Llorente's long-range stunner not enough to pull San Luis back into contention.

Messi has now found the net 15 times in 18 appearances for Miami this year, in all competitions, and Hoyos picked out his first goal for particular praise. 

"He struck the ball out of the air," Hoyos said. "Those of us who have played football know what it takes to find the time and space to connect, meeting a cross coming from left to right and hitting it cleanly on the volley with his left foot. 

"If we were talking about painting, it would be Picasso."

Miami were outshot by their opponents by 18 to eight, though they created higher-quality chances as they won the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.64 to 0.73.

And San Luis coach Diego Mejia said there was only so much any team could do to stop Messi.

"If Messi plays on the counter, he's the best; if you sit deep and give him too much time on the ball, he's also the best," Mejia said.

"So, my decision was for us to stick to our identity. We look at the bigger picture, of course, but we're talking about the greatest player in history."

Miami's other group-stage opponents in the Leagues Cup – a competition they won in 2023 during Messi's first campaign with the club – are Monterrey and Club Leon.