Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a spectacular performance for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union, fueling his team's quest for MLS Cup glory. The Argentine superstar made a comeback at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a two-month absence due to an ankle injury.
Messi’s Comeback Magic
The home team conceded an early goal to Mikael Uhre in the second minute, but the night would go on to belong to Messi. In a four-minute spell, the 37-year-old World Cup winner netted twice to flip the script.
His first goal came in the 26th minute. Upon receiving a pass from former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Messi deftly found his way past defender Kai Wagner before unleashing a right-footed shot that struck the back of the net.
Before the crowd could catch their breath, Messi would go on to strike again. In the 30th minute, he connected with another ex-Barça player, Jordi Alba, to fire a left-footed shot that traveled into the bottom right corner. However, Messi wasn't done influencing the game just yet.
In the dying moments of the match, the number 10 showcased his playmaking abilities by assisting Suarez for Miami's third goal. With the quick-fire double and a goal contribution, the little magician looks like he is back to his very best.
A Determined Messi Before MLS Cup Dreams
With Messi's return, Inter Miami's aspirations for MLS Cup success have received a significant boost. The team currently sits on top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, boasting an impressive 62 points. This puts them a comfortable 10 points ahead of their nearest challengers, FC Cincinnati, with just six games remaining in the regular season.
As Inter Miami prepares for the final stretch of the season and the upcoming playoffs, all eyes will be on Messi. The forward, who now boasts an impressive 14 goals in just 13 games this season, seems determined to lead his team to new heights.
Speaking after the match, Messi revealed just how hungry he was to return to playing:
"I really wanted to come back, I had been off of the field for a long time."
"Little by little I was training with the group, feeling good and that's why we decided that I would start, and I'm very happy."
Even in an Instagram post where he shared pictures of the win, the 2023 Ballon D'or winner didn't hesitate to replicate the excitement:
“I miss nights like this. We keep adding together to achieve our goals.”
On paper, the return of the Argentine maestro to an already formidable lineup that includes stars like Suarez and Alba transforms Inter Miami into genuine contenders for the MLS Cup. With Messi at the helm, Inter Miami's dream of clinching the title is more tangible than ever. Only time (or extra time) will tell if the legend will add yet another piece of silverware to his illustrious career.