Lionel Messi made a grand return to the pitch for Inter Miami, scoring twice and providing an assist in a thrilling 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS) action. After being sidelined due to an ankle injury he sustained during the Copa America final on July 14, Messi reminded the world why he’s considered one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.
Messi’s Magical Comeback
Despite having missed eight MLS matches and Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifiers, Messi looked as sharp as ever. His two goals, both in the space of four minutes, lit up the stadium and delighted fans who had been waiting for his return. The Argentine superstar’s presence on the field was felt immediately, as he combined seamlessly with his teammates Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.
Messi’s first goal came in the 26th minute when he received a perfect pass from Suarez, beat Philadelphia’s defender Kai Wagner, and struck the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed finish. Before the crowd had even settled, Messi doubled Miami’s lead in the 30th minute, finishing a sequence started by Alba with a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino couldn’t contain his joy at seeing Messi return in top form. “The truth is that I’m a little tired,” Messi confessed post-game. “The heat and humidity in Miami don’t help much either, but I really wanted to come back. I had been off the field for a long time, and it felt great to be back.”
The Suarez-Messi-Alba Trio
Inter Miami’s attack looked incredibly potent with the deadly trio of Messi, Suarez, and Alba. Suarez’s goal was ruled offside by VAR, but he found the net later in injury time, with Messi setting him up. The chemistry between the three former Barcelona stars is clear, and they wreaked havoc on Philadelphia’s defense throughout the game.
Messi’s involvement in three of the team’s goals only solidified his importance to the club. Even more impressively, Messi picked up his first yellow card in MLS for lingering over a corner kick—proving he’s human after all.
Martino explained his decision to leave both Messi and Suarez on the field until the final whistle: “Both played the whole game because they were fine to finish the game.” His faith in the pair paid off as they helped secure the win that extended Inter Miami’s lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Climbing the MLS Ladder
Messi’s contributions helped push Inter Miami to a commanding 62 points, 10 points ahead of their closest rivals FC Cincinnati, with six games remaining in the regular season. Despite missing a significant portion of the season, Messi’s tally of 14 goals in just 13 games puts him back in the race for MLS top scorer, only three goals behind his teammate Suarez, who trails the league leader Christian Benteke by two.
Messi is pleased with the team’s performance during his absence, highlighting the team’s resilience: “During the year we were very unlucky with injuries, we were never at full strength. But the group always came through. Today we are in first place with a big difference, and hopefully, we can finish on top.”
A Legendary Return
The 37-year-old Messi, now in his second MLS season, continues to break records. His two goals and assist in this match make him the fastest player to notch 15 goals and 15 assists in MLS history—doing so in just 19 games. Even as Messi approaches the twilight of his career, he is proving that age is just a number and that he is still one of the most influential footballers in the world.
Philadelphia started strong with Mikael Uhre scoring in the opening minute, giving the visitors hope for an upset. However, their early advantage quickly dissipated as Messi took control of the game. Messi’s partnership with Alba and Suarez proved too much for Philadelphia, and Miami’s defensive resilience in the second half ensured a comfortable win.
FAQs
Messi scored two goals in his return match, both within four minutes of each other, and also provided an assist.
Messi was out for over two months after injuring his ankle during the Copa America final on July 14.
Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba were instrumental, with Suarez scoring once and Alba assisting in two of Messi’s goals.
Messi has now scored 14 goals in 13 MLS matches, making him a strong contender for the MLS top scorer title.
Inter Miami is currently 10 points ahead of FC Cincinnati, sitting comfortably at the top of the standings.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s triumphant return from injury couldn’t have gone better for Inter Miami. With two goals and an assist, he reminded fans why he’s still one of the best players on the planet. The victory not only strengthens Inter Miami’s position at the top of the Eastern Conference but also puts them in prime position for the MLS playoffs.
As Messi gears up for more action in MLS, Inter Miami fans will be hoping that this performance is just the beginning of another stellar chapter in his legendary career. With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami could be on course for even greater success in the coming months.
