Lionel Messi returned to action last night for Inter Miami, and it didn’t take long for the GOAT to remind us why football isn’t the same without him. After weeks on the sidelines due to a thigh injury, Messi made a second-half appearance against LA Galaxy and instantly flipped the script.
Inter Miami, struggling to find rhythm early on, looked like a different team the moment Messi stepped onto the pitch. The end result? A convincing 3-1 win, sealed with a vintage Messi solo goal and an outrageous backheel assist that only he could’ve imagined — let alone executed.
84th Minute: A Messi Moment™
With the score level and the pressure rising, Messi picked up the ball outside the box, weaved past two defenders like they weren’t even there, and curled one into the far corner with that iconic left foot. No power. Just precision. Just poetry.
The crowd at Chase Stadium erupted. Fans were on their feet. Phones out. Smiles everywhere. He was back.
Then Came the Assist…
As if the goal wasn’t enough, Messi saved his most creative touch for the final moments. In stoppage time, he received the ball in a tight spot with defenders all over him. Most players would’ve played it safe. Not Messi.
A delicate no-look backheel flick sent Luis Suárez through on goal — and the Uruguayan didn’t miss. 3-1. Game over. That assist was more than just an assist. It was Messi’s way of saying, “I haven’t gone anywhere.”
Minutes Managed, But Impact Massive
Messi only played 45 minutes, and that was by design. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano later confirmed it was a calculated move: “We didn’t want to rush him. He’s not fully 100% yet, but even at 70%, he’s still the best player on the pitch.” And he was.
Despite limited time, Messi completed the most dribbles in the match, created the most chances, and scored one of the best goals of the season so far.
Back on Top of the Charts
With last night’s goal, Messi now leads the MLS scoring charts with 19 goals this season. Inter Miami also bounced back from their 4-1 loss in the last match, and look ready to go again with their talisman back in the mix.
More importantly, the vibe is back. The fear factor. The magic. The belief.
