Lionel Messi scores twice in triumphant injury return for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi (37) made a remarkable comeback from injury on Saturday, netting two goals within a mere four minutes and contributing an assist in Inter Miami's 3-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient had been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury during the Copa America final on July 14, where he played a pivotal role in Argentina's victory against Colombia.

During his absence, he missed eight MLS matches and the World Cup qualifiers for his national team.

Having not featured for Inter since June 1, Messi seamlessly integrated into the starting lineup upon his return.

"I must admit that I am a bit fatigued," he remarked following the match. "The heat and humidity in Miami are quite challenging, but I was eager to return after such a long time away from the pitch.

"I gradually trained with the team, felt good, and that is why we decided I would start. I am very happy—truly happy."

Miami's coach, Gerardo Martino, expressed his satisfaction at seeing his star player perform "feeling good" after completing the full 90 minutes.

Philadelphia took an early lead in the second minute with a left-footed strike from Mikael Uhre from outside the box.

Messi equalized in the 26th minute, receiving a pass from Luis Suarez, maneuvering past defender Kai Wagner, and delivering a right-footed shot that concluded a play initiated by Jordi Alba on the left flank.

The jubilant crowd was still celebrating when Messi put Inter ahead in the 30th minute, once again linking up with Alba and scoring with a left-footed shot from the center of the area into the bottom right corner.

Inter believed Suarez had extended their lead to 3-1 before halftime, but his goal was disallowed following a VAR review.

However, Suarez did find the net deep into second-half injury time, with Messi—who also received his first yellow card in MLS for delaying a corner kick—providing the assist.

Martino noted that the late goal justified his choice to keep both players on the field until the final whistle, stating, "Both played the entire match because they were fit to finish."

The recent victory has allowed Inter Miami to extend their lead at the top of the MLS standings to 62 points, placing them 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati, with six matches left in the regular season.

Messi expressed satisfaction that, 2024-09-15 08:06despite his prolonged absence, the team is currently leading the race for the Supporters' Shield, which is awarded to the team with the best overall record.

Deserved first place
"Throughout the year, we faced significant misfortune with injuries, and we were never at full capacity," he remarked. "For various reasons, we consistently had players missing, yet the team always managed to perform well.

"At this moment, we find ourselves in first place with a substantial margin, and it is well-deserved. We hope to maintain this position, considering its significance and the implications that follow."

Messi's two goals, bringing his total to 14 in just 13 matches, have placed him back in the running for the top scorer title.

In contrast, Suarez has netted 17 goals, placing him two behind the current MLS scoring leader, Christian Benteke of DC United.

After a warm reception from 19,000 fans at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home team faced an early scare when Uhre scored just 58 seconds into the match.

The Danish forward capitalized on a headed clearance from Argentine defender Tomas Aviles, catching goalkeeper Drake Callender off guard with a powerful shot that struck the post.

Shortly thereafter, Martino experienced another setback when Paraguayan center-back David Martinez sustained an injury while intercepting a pass from Philadelphia.

The Union continued to apply pressure on Callender, but Messi began to exploit the available spaces, collaborating effectively with Alba and Suarez.

In the 26th minute, Alba sprinted the length of the field and delivered a pass to Suarez, who assisted Messi in cutting inside Wagner to score.

Just four minutes later, Alba sent a cross from the left into the box, which Suarez allowed to pass through, enabling Messi to convert and bring the score to 2-1.

At 37 years old and in his second season in the United States, Messi has become the fastest player to achieve 15 goals and 15 assists in MLS history, accomplishing this feat in just 19 games.