Lionel Messi returned from injury in spectacular fashion Saturday night, scoring and assisting late to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy.
The Argentine superstar, sidelined for two matches with a right hamstring injury suffered in the Leagues Cup against Necaxa on August 2, came off the bench at the start of the second half. Though he missed several scoring chances early, Messi delivered when it mattered most.
In the 84th minute, he weaved past defenders with trademark footwork before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from distance to put Miami ahead 2-1. Just minutes later, he provided a moment of brilliance again – this time with a clever back-heel assist to Luis Suárez, sealing the victory.
The goal marked Messi’s 19th of the season, keeping him atop the MLS scoring charts. The win also pushed Inter Miami back into fourth place in the Eastern Conference after dropping to sixth following last week’s 4-1 defeat at Orlando.
Miami’s first breakthrough came late in the opening half when Jordi Alba finished off a precise through ball from Sergio Busquets. The Galaxy responded in the 59th minute with Joseph Paintsil equalizing, but Messi’s late magic proved decisive.
Head coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s resilience, noting that while the forward occasionally stretched his right leg during play, he grew sharper as the game progressed. “The important thing is that he finished the match,” Mascherano said through an interpreter. “He looked more comfortable as it went on.”
The defending MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy, remain at the bottom of the Western Conference despite Paintsil’s strike.
