Lionel Messi created yet another piece of history during his return for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
In July, the Argentine legend sustained an ankle injury during a Copa America match against Colombia.
On Saturday night, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his comeback as Inter Miami faced the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory, with Messi scoring twice and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez adding another goal. Mikael Uhre scored the lone goal for the visitors.
Messi played a crucial role in all three goals, providing the assist for Suarez’s strike.
With this performance, Messi has become the fastest player in MLS history to achieve 15 goals and 15 assists, reaching this milestone in just 19 games.
After the match, Messi commented: “As we mentioned earlier, we know the quality of our squad, and winning the Supporters’ Shield is a goal. We’re realistic and take responsibility.
“Throughout the year, we faced a lot of bad luck with injuries. We were never fully fit—whether due to injuries or other issues, we were always missing players, but the team kept pushing forward.”
He continued: “Now, we’re in first place with a significant lead, and it’s well-deserved. We hope to finish at the top for what it means and for what’s ahead.”
Inter Miami currently leads the MLS standings with 62 points, 10 ahead of second-placed FC Cincinnati.
Manager Gerardo Martino commented: “I’m pleased that Messi finished the game well, was able to play the full 90 minutes, and felt good.
“Messi and Luis Suarez both played the entire match because they were in a condition to finish it. It’s challenging to take out players who are so influential because they can change the game at any moment. Given our current position and what lies ahead, it’s a risk worth taking.”
He added: “We no longer need to focus on qualifying for the playoffs since we’ve secured that. Now, we need to concentrate on short-term achievements. We will take some risks, but not excessively.”
Inter Miami will return to MLS action on September 18, facing Atlanta United.
