Lionel Messi made a remarkable comeback from injury, contributing two goals and an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union. The Argentine forward, who had been sidelined since injuring his ankle during Argentina’s Copa America final win against Colombia in July, was back in action after missing several key fixtures.
Philadelphia Union took an early lead just 58 seconds into the match when Mikael Uhre found the back of the net. However, Messi soon leveled the score for Miami in the 26th minute, dribbling past a defender and slotting home after receiving a pass from former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. Moments later, Messi struck again, putting his side ahead with a clinical finish.
Messi’s Impact on the Game
The 37-year-old World Cup champion showed no signs of rust in his first full match for Inter Miami in three months. He was at the heart of Miami’s offensive play, linking up beautifully with his former Barcelona teammates Suarez and Jordi Alba. Alba played a pivotal role in the second goal, providing the assist that allowed Messi to double Miami’s lead just four minutes after his first strike.
In injury time, Messi capped off his outstanding performance by setting up Suarez for Miami’s third goal, securing a comfortable win. His tally for the season now stands at an impressive 14 goals in 13 appearances, a testament to his continued brilliance.
Messi Reflects on His Return
Despite his dominant display, Messi admitted to feeling the effects of his long layoff. “I felt a bit tired, but I really wanted to return,” he said after the game. “I’ve been out for a while, but I gradually trained with the team, and I felt good. That’s why we decided I would start.”
Elsewhere in MLS action, LA Galaxy pulled off a thrilling 4-2 comeback win over city rivals LAFC, as the top two teams in the Western Conference faced off.
