Lionel Messi made a stunning return to the pitch, delivering an extraordinary performance by scoring two goals and providing an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Messi's presence on the field made a significant impact, guiding his team to a crucial win in their campaign.
This match marked Messi’s return after being sidelined for two months following a right ankle injury he sustained during the Copa America final on July 14. The injury had kept him out of action, leaving fans eagerly awaiting his return. His last appearance for Inter Miami was on June 1 against St. Louis City, and the Argentine star’s absence was deeply felt by his team and supporters alike.
Despite the oppressive Miami heat, Messi displayed his resilience and endurance, playing the entire 90 minutes of the match. His remarkable ability to maintain top-level performance in such conditions further underscored his exceptional talent and commitment to the game.
Inter Miami’s coach, Gerardo Martino, commended Messi’s game-changing capabilities, praising his ability to step up at critical moments. Martino emphasized that Messi’s impact on the field is unparalleled, and it is difficult to take off a player who can make such a difference at any given moment.
Martino remarked, “It’s very difficult to remove players who are so differential because they appear and resolve at any time.” He went on to highlight that while Inter Miami had already secured their playoff spot, the team’s focus is now on achieving short-term goals, with a willingness to take calculated risks to reach even greater heights.
In addition to his spectacular performance in the match, Messi made MLS history by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 15 goals and 15 assists. Remarkably, Messi accomplished this feat in just 19 games, shattering the previous record held by Sebastian Giovinco, who had set the benchmark in 29 games. This achievement further cements Messi’s status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
With this victory, Inter Miami now sits at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, amassing an impressive 62 points from 28 games. The team, fueled by Messi’s return, appears poised for a deep playoff run as they continue to set their sights on greater success in the league.