The wait was finally over, and Lionel Messi wasted no time making his presence felt. After a few weeks of injury layoff, Messi returned for Inter Miami in spectacular fashion, scoring just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch.

His breathtaking goal helped secure a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union, giving fans a glimpse of the magic that only Messi can bring, Footballrover reports.

But how did he do it? Let’s dive into the story of his memorable return for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi’s return for Inter Miami: A comeback for the ages

Messi’s return for Inter Miami came after a frustrating stint on the sidelines. The Argentine star had been sidelined with a left adductor strain that kept him out of action since March 16.

It was a long two weeks for Messi, who missed not only club matches but also two international games for Uruguay.

Despite the time off, his return was nothing short of spectacular.

Substituted into the game in the 55th minute, Messi needed just two minutes to make his mark.

When Luis Suarez delivered the ball to him, Messi effortlessly chopped onto his right foot before curling the ball low into the corner of the net.

The goal put Inter Miami 2-0 up against Philadelphia Union, and his impact was immediate.

Messi’s quick return for Inter Miami: No rust, just class

Messi’s performance didn’t stop with his goal. In fact, the way he celebrated spoke volumes about his connection with the tennis world.

After his goal, he mimicked a tennis forehand shot, a tribute to his good friend Novak Djokovic.

Messi had spent the day with Djokovic following his semi-final appearance at the Miami Open, and this unique celebration reflected their bond.

Messi

Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, expressed confidence in Messi’s progress leading into the match, and it was clear that the 37-year-old was more than ready.

His return for Inter Miami marked a high point for the club, which extended its strong form, securing its fourth win in five matches this season.

With this victory, Inter Miami claimed the top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference, with a game in hand.

Messi’s return for Inter Miami: What’s next?

Inter Miami will be hoping for more of the same from Messi as they continue their season.

Their next challenge comes on Wednesday, where they face LAFC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Then, they take on Toronto in MLS action next weekend. With Messi back and firing on all cylinders, the future looks promising for Inter Miami.

As Lionel Messi enters his third season in MLS, he continues to defy expectations. With 23 goals in 28 matches for the club, his impact remains undeniable.

And with performances like his return for Inter Miami, there’s no doubt he’s set for more memorable moments in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has set the record for being the fastest player to reach 855 career goals.

He has also contributed either a goal or an assist in every official match he’s played in 2025, totaling 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games.

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Last Updated on March 30, 2025 12:12 pm by Sir Kris