Lionel Messi made an immediate impact upon returning from injury, scoring in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia, pushing his team to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Messi wasted no time, finding the net less than two minutes later. After a well-timed pass from former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, Messi calmly slotted the ball past two Philadelphia defenders to secure Miami’s second goal.
The victory solidified Inter Miami’s push for a record-breaking start to their season, as Robert Taylor had earlier opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a powerful strike. Philadelphia responded late in the game with a goal from Daniel Gazdag, but it wasn’t enough to stop Miami’s momentum.
Messi’s return followed a brief injury layoff that saw him miss two crucial World Cup qualifiers for Argentina. His quick recovery was a huge boost for Inter Miami, who are not only aiming for domestic success but also have their eyes set on continental glory.
Next up, Inter Miami faces Los Angeles FC in the CONCACAF Champions League, where Messi’s leadership and playmaking will be crucial for the club’s ambitions. With Messi back in form and Suarez providing the creative spark, Miami looks poised to continue their impressive run this season.
As Miami continues to set the pace in MLS, fans eagerly anticipate Messi’s impact in the team’s upcoming fixtures, including the highly anticipated Champions League showdown.
