Lionel Messi made a stunning return to the field after a two-month injury layoff, inspiring Inter Miami CF to a commanding 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at DRV PNK Stadium.
The Argentine maestro, sidelined since the Copa America final due to an ankle injury, wasted no time proving his worth once again.
From the moment Messi stepped onto the pitch, it was clear he hadn’t missed a beat. In the 26th minute, he received a pinpoint pass from Luis Suarez, another former Barcelona teammate, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to level the score.
Just four minutes later, Messi doubled his tally, connecting with a Jordi Alba back-pass and leaving Philadelphia’s defense in disarray.
Inter Miami, who had initially fallen behind to a quick goal by Mikael Uhre, quickly turned the tide, and Messi’s two goals put them firmly in control by halftime. His ability to shift the momentum was on full display, and his performance lifted Miami’s confidence across the board.
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Lionel Messi seals the deal with a perfect assist to Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez, who had assisted Messi’s opener, found the net himself in the dying moments of the match, courtesy of yet another Messi assist. The Uruguayan’s strike made it 3-1 and ensured a comfortable win for Miami, who now sit atop the MLS standings. While the Philadelphia Union showed flashes of resilience, Messi’s brilliance was simply too much to overcome.
Inter Miami will face Atlanta United on September 19 as they look to extend their lead in the MLS standings.
This was Messi’s first MLS appearance in over three months, and with 16 goals to his name this season in 16 appearances, he is once again a leading contender for the MLS Golden Boot. The Argentine has also registered 12 assists as well.
His return not only bolsters Inter Miami’s title hopes but also sets the stage for his international comeback in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers next month. Messi is expected to feature in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers in early October, where they will take on Venezuela and Bolivia.
