– Lionel Messi had not played for his US club for three and a half months. After sustaining an injury while winning the South American championship, the superstar is making a strong return.
Lionel Messi has made a successful comeback after a long break for Inter Miami in the North American professional soccer league MLS. The Argentine superstar scored his team’s first two goals and provided the assist for the third in the 3-1 (2-1) win over Philadelphia Union.
Messi recently won the Copa América with Argentina’s national team and suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 final against Colombia two months ago. He hasn’t played for Miami since the beginning of June. “I’m a little tired because of the heat and humidity in Miami, but I wanted to get back as soon as possible,” the 37-year-old said on Apple TV. “I started training with the team and I’m feeling better.”
Inter Miami at the top
Messi turned the game around with his two goals (26th/30th minute) after an early deficit. His Uruguayan friend Luis Suárez made the final score in injury time. “It’s nice to see that the injury has healed and that he is as effective as before,” said Messi’s Franconian-born teammate Julian Gressel.
Messi returned to training three weeks ago. “I’m glad he played the full 90 minutes. He felt good,” said Inter coach Gerardo Martino. Without Messi, Miami had made it into the MLS playoffs and the team is at the top of the table.
