Messi Returns From Injury To Net Two Goals In Four Minutes For Inter Miami

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Lionel Messi made a stunning return from injury on Saturday, scoring two goals within four minutes while assisting to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Messi, who had been sidelined since injuring his right ankle during Argentina’s Copa America victory over Colombia on July 14, wasted no time in making an impact.

He hadn’t played for Inter Miami since June 1, missing eight MLS games and Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers, but the Argentine superstar showed no signs of rust as he returned to the starting lineup.

“The truth is that I’m a little tired,” Messi said after the match. “The heat and humidity in Miami don’t help much either, but I really wanted to come back. I had been off the field for a long time. Little by little, I trained with the group and felt good, so we decided I would start. I’m very happy.”

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino expressed his satisfaction, noting that Messi played the full 90 minutes and came out of the match feeling good.

The game didn’t start well for Miami, as Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre struck in just the second minute with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box.

However, Messi quickly turned the tide, scoring the equalizer in the 26th minute. A quick buildup from Jordi Alba on the left wing found Luis Suarez, who set up Messi. The 37-year-old dribbled past defender Kai Wagner and fired a right-footed shot into the net.

Four minutes later, Messi put Miami ahead, once again teaming up with Alba. A cross from the Spanish fullback was met by Suarez, who let it go through for Messi, and the Argentine forward slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, sending the fans into a frenzy.

Inter Miami almost made it 3-1 before halftime when Suarez found the back of the net, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review.

Suarez eventually got on the scoresheet deep into second-half injury time, with Messi providing the assist to seal the victory.

Messi, who also received his first yellow card in MLS for time-wasting during a corner kick, was instrumental in extending Inter Miami’s lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

With the win, Miami moved 10 points clear of FC Cincinnati with six games left in the regular season.

Despite his lengthy absence, Messi was thrilled to see his team in such a strong position. “During the year, we were very unlucky with injuries, and we were never at full strength.

For one reason or another, we were always missing players, but the group always came through. Today, we are in first place with a big difference and deservedly so,” Messi said.

Messi’s two goals bring his total to 14 in just 13 MLS games this season, putting him back in the race for the Golden Boot.

Meanwhile, his teammate Suarez has 17 goals, just two behind DC United’s Christian Benteke, the current league leader.

The 19,000 fans at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale had barely settled in when Philadelphia took the lead, with Uhre capitalizing on a defensive clearance to surprise Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Soon after, Inter suffered another scare when center-back David Martinez was injured while intercepting a Philadelphia pass.

The Union continued to press, but Messi, Alba, and Suarez began to find space in the attack.

In the 26th minute, Alba made a blistering run down the left side, linking up with Suarez, who fed Messi to score the equalizer.

Just four minutes later, Alba sent a cross into the box, which Suarez cleverly let pass, and Messi buried his second goal of the night.

In just his second season in MLS, Messi continues to break records, becoming the fastest player to record 15 goals and 15 assists in just 19 games.