Lionel Messi made a statement in his return game with Inter Miami, scoring two goals in four minutes for his MLS side.
Messi stepped back on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina’s Copa America title-winning game over Colombia in July.
The Argentine sent South Beach fans on their feet, scoring a quick brace to help Miami take the lead over the Philadelphia Union.
His first goal came in the 26th minute with the Herons down 1-0. Jordi Alba dribbled the ball down the middle before connecting with Luis Suarez. The former Barcelona trio completed the play after Suarez played a perfect one-touch pass around a Union defender.
The ball ended up on Messi’s feet, who touched the ball into space, spun his defender, and slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner.
Lionel Messi scored two goals in four minutes in his first game for Inter Miami in three months
Less than four minutes later, Alba and Messi connected again to break the 1-1 deadlock.
The Spanish fullback found himself open on the corner of the penalty box before playing a grass-cutting pass inside. After the ball skipped Suarez, Messi beat the opposition with his magical left foot, sending it to the opposite corner of his first goal.
Messi came into the game with 12 goals and 13 assists in 11 appearances for Inter Miami this season.
The Argentine’s last MLS outing came in a goal-scoring effort as the Herons drew 3-3 in a thrilling game against Saint Louis.
Messi missed 13 games with the Herons due to an ankle injury he suffered with Argentina
Messi’s first-half brace puts him in a three-way tie for fourth in MLS goals scored with FC Dallas’ Petar Musa and Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag. Despite missing 13 games for the Herons, Messi sits third in assists behind Portland’s Evander.
Miami sits comfortably on top of the league at 28-19 with 62 points. In the Easter Conference, Cincinnati trails ten points behind Messi and Co.
Meanwhile, the LA Galaxy also holds 52 points at 28-15, leading the Western Conference.
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