Lionel Messi was in action again – and back to do what he does best. The Argentinian superstar came for Inter Miami and saved the Javier Mascherano team in a tense Major League Soccer -Matchup with La Galaxy.
Despite dominating the first half, the herons struggled after the break. But the sparkle of Messi as the iconic No. 10 turned out to be decisive and secured all three points for Miami in the 2025 ml season.
Still, while the team is preparing for a high-stakes Leagues Cup quarterfinals against Tigres Uanl, the performance of Messi has led a few worries.
Miami under control
The hosts looked sharp in the first half, but not everything went their way. In the 32nd minute, Telasco Segovia thought he had scored after a brilliant assist from Luis Suárez – only to have the goal excluded after a var evaluation.
The impasse was finally broken in the 43rd minute and the opener came in style. Just as Messi and Rodrigo de Paul got a warm ovation while they got off the couch to start their warming up, Jordi Alba made his move.
The Spanish fullback timed his run perfectly, shoots into the space after a brilliant by Bal by Sergio Busquets. Alba did not hesitate – he shot a powerful shot in the nearby pole, hit the keeper and set the herons at 1-0.
Miami started the second half with a double replacement that fans buzzed: Messi and Rodrigo de Paul came in and wanted to inject new energy in Javier Mascherano. But it didn't go as planned.
Shortly after he got on the field, Messi was seen who grabbed the back of his thigh – a disturbing sign that his hamstring problem can still linger. The Argentinian captain had missed two games because of the injury and, although determined to play, it did not look completely comfortable during the game.
To make matters worse, La Galaxy made it right in the 59th minute. Ghanaian attacker Joseph Paintsil delivered a stunning solo effort, cutting by defenders Marcelo Weigandt and Gonzalo Luján before firing a low shot by goalkeeper óscar Ustari at the Near Post. The goal silenced Chase Stadium and shifted the momentum away from the herons.
Messi steps up
Messi may not be 100%, but even a limited version of the Argentinian legend is game change. During the game he avoided the taking corner kicks from the right side and often drove into deeper positions, away from the action – sharp signs that his hamstring problem still lingers. But when the moment came, he delivered himself.
In the 84th minute the Paul Messi found just outside the box. What followed was Vintage Leo: he picked up Lucas Sanabria, danced past Edwin Cerrillo in a one-on-one and curled a Pinpoint shot past goalkeeper Novak Mićović to give Miami a 2-1 lead.
Just when Fans thought Messi had done enough, he delivered a moment of brilliance. In the 89th minute, the Argentinian Maestro hit a stunning backhelp pass to Luis Suárez, who quietly ended up along the keeper to make it 3-1 and close the game in style.
It was the 10th assist of Messi of the 2025 ml season, which contributed to his leading 19 goals. Even while he provides a hamstring problem, he remains the difference for Inter Miami.
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