Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, made a triumphant return from injury as he played a significant role in Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over defending Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champions, Los Angeles Galaxy at Chase Stadium. The match saw Messi, who had been out due to a minor muscle injury, enter as a reserve and later make his presence felt by scoring in the 84th minute and contributing an assist.
Messi, who is 38, had missed the previous Leagues Cup win and the recent loss to Orlando City, was back in action after overcoming what the Inter coach, Javier Mascherano, described as a “minor muscle injury.” According to Mascherano, Messi felt better after three training sessions post-injury, and the team had planned for him to play for 45 minutes to regain his form.
Despite initial signs of discomfort, Messi was seen loosening up and showed signs of being not at full comfort level; yet as the match progressed, he became more agile. His impact was felt late in the game; he scored the crucial goal in the 84th minute, a powerful strike from outside the penalty area that hit the bottom corner of the net, giving Miami the lead. Later, he provided an assist to Luis Suarez in the 89th minute, securing a 3-1 win for the home side.
The victory comes as a significant boost for Inter Miami, who currently ranks fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference, six points behind leaders Philadelphia, but with a chance to close the gap with three matches in hand. The match against LA Galaxy not only showcased Messi’s return to form but also highlighted his pivotal role in leading the Herons into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, where they will face Tigres, a competition they won in 2023 after Messi’s arrival.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/8/17/lionel-messi-scores-as-inter-miami-wins-late-against-la-galaxy?traffic_source=rss
