Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi (C) fights for the ball with Palmeiras' Brazilian midfielder #30 Lucas Evangelista (2nd L) and Palmeiras' Brazilian defender #03 Bruno Fuchs (2nd R) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
Lionel Messi made a triumphant return from injury on Saturday, coming off the bench to score in the 84th minute and inspire Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over reigning MLS champions Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 38-year-old Argentine star had been sidelined with a minor hamstring strain picked up during Miami’s August 2 Leagues Cup win against Necaxa. Head coach Javier Mascherano described the setback as “something very small,” and after three solid training sessions, Messi was cleared to feature.
“It was important to give him some minutes to regain rhythm,” Mascherano said. “He’s not yet 100 percent, but as the game went on, he looked sharper. We’ll assess how he feels tomorrow.”
Messi, who had missed Miami’s Leagues Cup victory over Pumas UNAM and an MLS defeat to Orlando City, entered in the second half for Telasco Segovia. His impact was immediate. Jordi Alba had earlier put Miami ahead in the 43rd minute before Joseph Paintsil leveled for the Galaxy in the 59th. But Messi’s late strike restored Miami’s lead, and Luis Suárez sealed the win with an 89th-minute goal assisted by Messi.
The reigning MLS MVP now has 19 goals and 10 assists in 19 league appearances this season, continuing to drive Miami’s push for silverware. The Herons, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, sit six points behind leaders Philadelphia but hold three games in hand. They also remain alive in the Leagues Cup, where they face Tigres in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
“Leo always wants to play every match,” Mascherano added. “That’s why he’s who he is. Sometimes we want to be cautious, but when he feels fit, he knows his body better than anyone.”
Elsewhere in MLS, South Korean international Son Heung-min celebrated his first win in the league as LAFC secured a 2-0 victory over New England. Son, making his first start after debuting as a substitute last week, provided the assist for Mathieu Choiniere’s stoppage-time strike. Marco Delgado had opened the scoring in the 51st minute.
LAFC now sit fifth in the Western Conference, nine points behind leaders San Diego with two games in hand.
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