MLS 2024: Lionel Messi's Brace Helps Inter Miami Secure Easy Win Over Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi made a successful return after a lengthy absence, scoring two goals and assisting on the third to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. (More Football News)

The Argentine star winger and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had not played with Inter Miami since June 1 because of national team commitme൲nts and a right ankle injury sustained in a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.

"A little bit tired because of the heat and humidity of Miami but I wanted to return so much after such a long time away," Messi said in Spanish on the Apple TV broadcast after the game.

"I started training with the gro🍌up and began to feel better."

Messi, who resumed practising three weeks ago, sho🍃wed no rust or ill effects from the injury with his performance. He scoreꦅd twice in four minutes midway through the first half negating an early goal by Philadelphia.

"What he did was mo♔re typical than other things that happened tonight," Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said ꦍin Spanish.

"I am happy that he finished the game and completed the 90 minutes.🧸 He felt fine."

Without Messi, Miami went 8-2 and clin🅷ched an MLS playoff spot. Miami (19-4-5) also took the lead in the Supporters Shield table with 62 points.

"It's nice to see that his injury has he😼aled and that he's as effective as he was before," Inter Miami midfielder Julian Gressel 🦩said.

Luis Suárez had one assist and clinched Miami൲'s win wi🌳th a strike on Messi's assist during second-half stoppage time. It was Suárez's 17th goal of the season.

Messi's first goal in the 26th minute evened it at 1-all. Suárez sent a short pass near the large area, w🌄here Messi retrieved it, outmanoeuv🏅red Union defender Kai Wagner into the box and converted a shot that landed inside the left post.

Four minutes later, Messi received a crossing p𒁃ass inside the box and b🔯eat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a 15-yard shot.

Suárez had a goal in the 44th minute overturned afte🍒r a video review ruled an offside infraction.

"As the gaꦆme progressed we ran the risk of not contr✃olling the ball," Martino said.

"From the last 30 minutes of the first half we managed🐠 to handle the ball better."

Messi's mended ankle absorbed a kick by Philadelphia midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the 67th minute as both battled for a loose ball. Messi fell to the ground and favored the ankle but quickly stood and continued playing. Match referee Sergii Boiko assessed yellow cards to Sullivan and Martin🙈o, who argued for a stiffer infraction against Sullivan.

Seeking the equalizer, Philadelphia (7-12-9) pressured repeatedly throughout the second half before Messi centred a pass to Suárez and he🔯 converted from 18 yards.

Before his absence, the 37-yꦗear-old Messi had 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 league matches this seas🍨on.

Fans barely set🌟tled in when Union forward Mikael Uhre stunned the home crowd with a goal two minutes into the match.

Messi had his first scoring opportunity in the seventh minute with a ওfree kick near the half-circle that was cleared by a wall of Philadelphia defenders.

For Inter Miami, the victory came with a price. Defender David Martinez left early in the first half because of a groin injury and his replacement Noah Allen also was removed afꦺter what Martino said ﷽was a blow to the head.

"We have to take it day by 💝day and se♋e how they recover and how they feel," Martino said.

Both clubs continue league play with road matches on Wednesday. Inter Miami will visit Atlanta on 🎃Tuesday while the Union visit New York City FC on Tuesday.