Lionel Messi made a stunning impact as a substitute for Inter Miami, scoring a tremendous goal just two minutes after entering the match against Philadelphia Union in the MLS.
After missing the international break with Argentina due to a minor injury, fans eagerly anticipated Lionel Messi‘s return to action for Inter Miami. Coming off the bench, the star forward marked his return to the MLS with a spectacular goal against the Philadelphia Union.
Despite concerns prior to kickoff—since Messi did not partake in pregame warmups—he came on in the 55th minute, replacing Robert Taylor, who had scored the opener for Inter Miami.
Just two minutes later, Messi showcased his brilliance. Following a recovery by Luis Suarez in midfield, the Uruguayan quickly passed to Fafa Picault, who returned it after drawing defenders. Suarez then executed a perfectly timed pass into the box, finding Messi one-on-one with a defender. After a clever feint to shake off his marker, Messi slotted the ball home with his right foot, completing a clinical counterattack in the 57th minute.
This goal secured a vital 2-1 victory for Inter Miami, putting them at the top of the league with only five games played, while Philadelphia entered the match as leaders of the Eastern Conference.
Messi’s Impressive Performance Amidst Injury Concerns
The beginning of the 2025 season has seen both highs and lows for Lionel Messi. Despite a strong start, he faced a three-game absence due to muscular fatigue. Additionally, during the last MLS match against Atlanta United, he sustained a minor left adductor injury, confirmed by an MRI, which led to his absence from Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil.
However, these setbacks have not hindered his performance. So far this season, Messi has participated in six matches—three in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and three in MLS—scoring five goals and providing two assists, reaffirming his status as a constant attacking threat.
