Lionel Messi: The Argentine superstar nets two goals in just four minutes during his comeback with Inter Miami.
**”We Need to Believe That We Can Win” – Pochettino Introduced as USMNT Head Coach**
In a thrilling return to action, Lionel Messi showcased his undeniable talent by scoring twice in just four minutes, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union in the MLS. This match marked Messi’s first appearance in two months, following a frustrating ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since Argentina’s triumph over Colombia in the Copa America final back in July.
The 37-year-old maestro was in fine form, netting two first-half goals that not only helped secure the win but also highlighted his clinical prowess. However, after the match, Messi admitted that the intensity of the game had taken its toll on him. “The truth is that I’m a little tired,” he confessed. “The heat and humidity in Miami don’t help much either, but I really wanted to come back; I had been off the field for a long time.”
Messi’s return was eagerly anticipated, and he didn’t disappoint. It took until the 26th minute for him to find the back of the net, equalizing after Mikael Uhre had given Philadelphia an early lead. Receiving a well-timed pass from fellow Argentine Luis Suarez, Messi deftly slotted the ball home, showcasing his trademark composure under pressure.
Just four minutes later, Messi struck again, this time combining with another former Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba. With a sweeping left-footed shot, he put Miami ahead, further solidifying his status as the team’s talisman. To cap off a stellar performance, Messi assisted Suarez in injury time, bringing his tally to an impressive 14 goals in just 13 games this season.
Inter Miami’s manager, Tata Martino, was not surprised by Messi’s contributions. “What he did was probably the most predictable thing that happened tonight,” Martino remarked. “I’m happy that he could play the full 90 minutes and that he felt fine.”
When asked about his decision to keep both Messi and Suarez on the pitch for the entire match, Martino explained, “They both played the whole game because they were fit enough to finish. The reality is that it’s very difficult to take off players who are so important because they can appear and make a difference at any moment. So, they both felt fine and they played the full 90 minutes.”
With this victory, Inter Miami now sits a commanding 10 points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference, boasting an impressive record of 19 wins from 28 games. As the season progresses, the team will undoubtedly look to Messi’s brilliance to guide them towards further success.