Ladies and gentlemen, Lionel Messi is back!
The superstar forward hadn't played a competitive game in 62 days. Injured during Argentina's Copa América final victory, Messi's last match for Inter Miami CF was on June 1, 105 five days ago.
You couldn't tell by watching him Saturday night at Chase Stadium, where the GOAT bagged a first-half brace and assisted Luis Suárez's insurance tally during a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. Jordi Alba set up both of Messi's goals, which were scored three minutes and 29 seconds apart.
"I was really eager to come back after a long time off the field," Messi said via a translator. "Little by little, I started training with the team, felt good, and that's why we decided I would start. Very happy, very pleased."
Messi now has 14 goals and 14 assists, good for fifth in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. To make it even more impressive, he's compiled those numbers in just over 1,100 minutes (13 appearances).
With six regular-season games remaining, the Herons hold a sizable lead in the Supporters' Shield race. They clinched an Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot in late August and remain on pace to set a single-season points record (62 points; 2.21 ppg).
"As we said at the beginning, we know the squad we have, and [winning the Supporters' Shield] is a goal," said Messi. "We are realistic and take responsibility.
"The truth is that throughout the year, we had a lot of bad luck with injuries. We were never at full strength – due to one thing or another, we were always missing players, but the team always pushed forward. Today, we are in first place with a big lead, and deservedly so. Hopefully, we can finish at the top for what it means and for what's to come after as well."
