When it mattered most, Lionel Messi sure does have a knack for performing at a high level for his team. That’s what happened when he helped Inter Miami come up with a 3-1 victory in their weekend clash against the Philadelphia Union – with the star coming back stronger after dealing with his ankle injury. Now it seems that Inter Miami is definitely primed for more intense playoff action now more than ever.

Messi missed out much of the action for Inter Miami’s campaign in the Leagues Cup and even the World Cup qualifiers for Argentina due to an ankle injury that he suffered back in the country’s Copa America final win over Colombia last July. At the age of 37, it does seem that Messi is definitely poised for some promising strides in his games this season as he comes back with a goal to make up for lost time.

His return to the MLS action proved to be quite a show of his strength in the game. Messi dished out an assist while also coming up with two goals to lead the way for the team’s win against Philadelphia Union, and so far – it does seem that the star forward is poised for more action heading into the final stretch of the season.

A Promising Return

Philadelphia Union was poised to upset Inter Miami in Messi’s return by taking the lead after just 58 seconds in the game. However, Messi refused to have this kind of disrespect in just a snap, and so he led the team to equalize in the 26th minute. The Argentine star beat a defender en route to the attack and secured a pass from Luis Suarez before finally drilling the goal – the first of the game and the first for Messi since he’s missed games due to injury.

In another play, Messi would go up in the 30th minute after receiving a quick pass from Jordi Alba, who escaped two defenders and found an open Messi gunning for a goal to finally give Miami the 2-1 lead that they had been searching for all night.

Messi would later get on the attack for the second time around behind Jordi Alba’s quick pass before setting up Suarez for a goal in the 98th minute to close out the game for good.

Inter Miami Inching Close to a Deeper Playoff Run

Messi’s return was an inspiring sight, and it cannot be denied that he has inspired Miami to play at a high level as they inch close to a deeper playoff run this season. Leading the Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi is surely thinking of making up for lost time and helping his team secure their spot in the playoff stage.

"I really wanted to come back, I had been off of the field for a long time," Messi said in his return. "Little by little I was training with the group, feeling good and that's why we decided that I would start, and I'm very happy."

Inter Miami has already clinched a playoff spot along with Cincinnati and Columbus. They have a promising 10-point lead in the standings at the top of the Eastern Conference and currently run with a 19-4-5 record in 28 games played. With the season winding down to its final games, it is a good note that Messi has returned to action and is playing well at a high level heading into the closing matches of the 2024 campaign.