In an impressive display, Lionel Messi marked his comeback from injury by netting two goals within a four-minute span.
Fresh from a three-month absence with Inter Miami, Messi made history by becoming the quickest player ever to achieve 15 goals and 15 assists in the league, managing this feat in only 19 matches, 10 fewer than any other player. On Saturday, his contributions led Miami to a 3-1 victory against the Philadelphia Union, with him contributing to all of Miami's goals.
The game started disastrously for Miami, conceding a goal just a minute into the game when Uhre slammed the ball into the net, evading the reach of goalkeeper Callender. Despite the early setback, Miami managed to pull level when Messi capitalized on a pass from Suarez, tapping the ball into the net. Four minutes later, Messi found the back of the net once again, exploiting the Philly defense to score from a similar position.
A last-ditch save from Callender in the 85th minute prevented Philly from leveling the scores, but Miami sealed the deal shortly afterwards when Messi provided the assist for Suarez, who notched his 17th goal of the season, breaking Miami's single-season MLS goal-scoring record.
After the match, a somewhat tired Messi, who had been sidelined since July 14 due to an injury sustained in the Copa America final, acknowledged his fatigue but expressed his eagerness to return. "The heat and humidity in Miami aren't exactly pleasant, but I was eager to come back after being out for so long," he said, speaking to TNT Sports, a media outlet owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, like CNN. "I was training with the team, feeling good, and that's why I was brought back, and I'm very pleased – extremely pleased."
Messi's exceptional skill in football was evident once again during the match, as he showcased his talent by scoring two goals and providing an assist. Additionally, his love for the sport was clear when he discussed his eagerness to return to the field following his injury, saying, "I was eager to come back after being out for so long."
