Soccer <\/p>\n
Lionel Messi<\/a> wasted no time making an impact in his return with Inter Miami CF<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Playing his first game in 13 days, the legendary No. 10 scored within minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute Saturday night, producing the game-winning goal as the Herons topped the Philadelphia Union<\/a>, 2-1<\/a>, at Chase Stadium.<\/p>\n Messi, who missed the FIFA March international window with Argentina due to an adductor injury, entered the match in the 55th minute with Miami up 1-0 on Robert Taylor<\/a>‘s first-half opener. By the 57th minute, he’d doubled their lead after linking up with fellow former FC Barcelona icon Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> and beating goalkeeper Andre Blake<\/a> from a tight angle.<\/p>\n D\u00e1niel Gazdag<\/a> pulled one back for the Union, but Miami held on to secure the win and reclaim first place in the Eastern Conference with an undefeated 4W-0L-1D record (13 points).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That\u2019s how we do it ???? Vamos Miami! pic.twitter.com\/6SEu75St9m<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n \u201cThe idea was to play him 30-35 minutes, and [Messi] feels well,\u201d Miami head coach Javier Mascherano told reporters post-match. \u201cWhat he played today was because he\u2019s feeling well \u2013 it\u2019s not like we risked him by playing him.\u201d<\/p>\n With his tally, Messi reached 2g\/2a in four league appearances this season. The reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP also tied fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higua\u00edn atop Miami\u2019s all-time goal contributions list, totaling 43.<\/p>\n \u201cMessi is the greatest player in history. There will never be another like him \u2013 it is impossible,\u201d added Macherano, a former Argentina and Bar\u00e7a teammate.<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty years at the top, scoring, playing \u2013 he is the complete player.\u201d<\/p>\n The Herons return to MLS action on April 6 for a Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire clash against Toronto FC<\/a> (7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>). On Wednesday, they’ll visit LAFC<\/a> for Leg 1 of their Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> quarterfinal series (11:30 pm ET | FOX; FOX Deportes, ViX).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n