Lionel Messi made a triumphant return from injury on Saturday, coming off the bench to score in the 84th minute and help Inter Miami defeat defending MLS champions LA Galaxy 3-1.
The 38-year-old Argentine star had missed two games due to what coach Javier Mascherano described as a “minor muscle injury,” believed to be a hamstring strain. He returned to action in the second half, replacing Telasco Segovia.
“It was something very small,” Mascherano said after the match. “We planned to give him around 45 minutes so he could ease back in. He looked more comfortable as the game went on.”
Jordi Alba gave Miami the lead in the 43rd minute, but LA Galaxy responded through Joseph Paintsil in the 59th. Messi struck late to restore the lead, and Luis Suárez sealed the win in the 89th minute with a goal assisted by Messi.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner now has 19 goals and 10 assists in 19 MLS appearances this season. Inter Miami, who won the Leagues Cup in 2023, are into the quarter-finals again and will face Tigres on Wednesday.
“He always wants to be on the pitch,” Mascherano said. “He knows his body well, and today was about building rhythm ahead of Wednesday.”
Inter Miami sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, six points behind leaders Philadelphia but with three games in hand.
In other MLS action, South Korean star Son Heung-min earned his first MLS win and assist in his first start for LAFC, who beat New England 2-0. Son set up Mathieu Choinière’s stoppage-time goal after Marco Delgado opened the scoring in the 51st minute. LAFC is now fifth in the Western Conference.
