Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to Major League Soccer on Saturday, scoring two goals in just four minutes to lead Inter Miami to a lead against the Philadelphia Union in his first MLS appearance in over three months.
The Argentine superstar, who had been sidelined since July with an ankle injury sustained during Argentina’s Copa America victory over Colombia, wasted no time in reminding fans of his exceptional skill.
Messi’s first goal came in the 26th minute with Inter Miami trailing 1-0. The play involved a coordinated effort from former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. Alba dribbled through midfield before finding Suarez, who delivered a precise one-touch pass. Messi, receiving the ball, touched it into space, spun past his defender, and slotted it into the bottom-left corner.
Just four minutes later, Messi struck again to break the 1-1 deadlock. This time, Alba found space on the edge of the penalty area and delivered a low cross. The ball skipped past Suarez but found Messi, who calmly finished with his left foot to the opposite corner.
These goals bring Messi’s tally to 14 goals and 13 assists in just 12 appearances for Inter Miami this season, an impressive statistic considering he has missed 13 games due to international duty and injury.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino praised Messi’s impact: “Leo’s return gives us a different dimension. His ability to change the game in moments is unparalleled.”
The brace puts Messi in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MLS goal-scoring charts, alongside FC Dallas’ Petar Musa and Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag. Despite his limited appearances, Messi also ranks third in assists, trailing only Portland’s Evander.
Inter Miami, bolstered by Messi’s return, sits atop the MLS standings with 62 points from 47 games. They lead Cincinnati by ten points in the Eastern Conference, while the LA Galaxy tops the Western Conference with 52 points.
As the MLS season enters its final stretch, Messi’s return could prove crucial for Inter Miami’s championship aspirations. The team’s remaining fixtures will be closely watched by soccer fans worldwide, eager to see more of Messi’s magic on American soil.
