Lionel Messi made a stunning return to competitive action for Inter Miami, scoring the decisive goal just two minutes after coming off the bench in a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 29, 2025. This match, held at Chase Stadium, not only marked Messi's comeback after an injury layoff but also propelled Inter Miami to the top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Messi had been sidelined due to an adductor strain, which caused him to miss Argentina's World Cup qualifiers during the recent international break. His last appearance before Saturday was in Miami's previous match against Atlanta on March 16, where he also played a pivotal role.
The match kicked off with a bang as Finnish winger Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 23rd minute. Taylor's goal was set up beautifully by a run from Jordi Alba, who provided a low pass that Benjamin Cremaschi assisted on, allowing Taylor to slot the ball into the net.
As the second half began, head coach Javier Mascherano decided to bring Messi on in the 55th minute, a cautious move aimed at easing the star player back into action without risking further injury. Just two minutes later, Messi showcased his extraordinary talent. After receiving a pass from his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez on the right side of the penalty box, Messi made a quick maneuver to create space and unleashed a low right-footed shot that found the back of the net, doubling Miami's lead to 2-0.
Despite the commanding position, the Union fought back, reducing the deficit in the 80th minute through Daniel Gazdag, who controlled a cross from Quinn Sullivan and finished with precision. However, Inter Miami held firm to secure the win, marking their fourth victory in five matches this season.
"We didn't want to risk him from the start because we thought he might be at risk playing the whole game, but we did want him to get some minutes," Mascherano explained. "The plan is that he can recover and travel to Los Angeles. He played today because he was fine. Maybe he wasn't ready for the full 90 minutes but it was good for him to play 45 minutes. If nothing unusual happens, the plan is for him to travel." This statement indicates that Messi is likely to be fit for their upcoming match against LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Inter Miami's performance this season has been impressive, as they currently lead the Eastern Conference standings with four wins and one draw, making them a formidable opponent in the league. The team is also undefeated in their last eight matches across all competitions, including four victories in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
In other notable MLS action on the same day, Atlanta United secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over New York City FC. Despite being down 3-1, Atlanta rallied back with Miguel Almiron scoring a header and Emmanuel Latte Lath netting a late winner. Meanwhile, Diego Rossi scored twice for Columbus Crew in their 2-1 win against DC United, and Minnesota United triumphed over Real Salt Lake with a 2-0 scoreline, thanks to two goals from Canadian striker Tani Oluwaseyi.
The New England Revolution also had a dramatic encounter, edging past the New York Red Bulls with a 2-1 victory. Carles Gil was instrumental, scoring from a free-kick and later converting a penalty in stoppage time to secure the win.
As for Inter Miami, they face a busy schedule ahead. They will travel to Los Angeles for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final on April 2, 2025, before hosting Toronto at home on April 6, 2025. Following that, they will return to Los Angeles for the second leg of the cup tie.
Messi's return not only boosts Miami's chances in the league but also raises the excitement levels among fans, who are eager to see the legendary forward back on the pitch. With his goal against Philadelphia, Messi has now contributed two goals and two assists in just four league appearances this season, tying him with Gonzalo Higuaín for the all-time goal contributions record at Inter Miami with a total of 43.
As the season progresses, the anticipation builds around Messi's performance and Inter Miami's quest for glory in both the MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup. If Saturday's match was any indication, they are certainly a team to watch.
