FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – SEPTEMBER 14: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (number 10) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of a game against Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi scored two goals in four minutes and Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union 3-1 in the player’s first match for the club in more than three months.
Messi scored in the 26th and 30th minutes of the first half to help the Herons take a 2-1 lead and improve the team’s MLS-best record to 19-4-5.
After Philadelphia took the lead 59 seconds into the game, Inter Miami tied the game thanks to a combination play by Messi, who scored his 13th MLS goal of the season.
Inter Miami took the lead a few minutes later with a goal from Messi, who slotted a pass from Jordi Alba into the Union penalty area.
Luis Suarez, who had a goal cancelled out in the first half, added Inter Miami’s third in the 98th minute after assisting Messi for his 15th of the season.
Messi currently has 14 goals for Inter Miami, five behind league leader Christian Benteke of DC United in 12 fewer games.
Messi’s long road to recovery
Messi has not played for Inter Miami since June 1 and has been sidelined injured since damaging ankle ligaments in Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14. He was also left out of the national team squad that beat Chile 3-0 and lost 2-1 to Colombia in World Cup qualifiers last week.
Messi has been training and manager Tata Martino said on Friday he would take part but it was unclear whether he would start or be on the bench.
Martino said in late August that Messi would be back before the start of the MLS playoffs on Oct. 23, but was unable to give a specific return date at the time.
In Messi’s absence, Inter Miami went 10 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw in all competitions, but their hopes of a second consecutive title were dashed when they were eliminated in the last 16 of the League Cup by Columbus Crew.
Inter Miami currently lead MLS with 62 points, 10 points ahead of LA Galaxy and FC Cincinnati in the Supporters’ Shield race.
