Lionel Messi was on target as Inter Miami beat Philadelphia Union 2-1 to go top of the Eastern Conference in MLS.
Match Rport
The Argentina icon was absent for his country's World Cup qualifiers with Uruguay and Brazil due to adductor and thigh injuries but was back with a vengeance for Javier Mascherano's men at Chase Stadium.
Inter were ahead by the 23rd minute with a slick move that saw Jordi Alba pick out Benjamin Cremaschi, whose low centre across the face of goal was turned home by Robert Taylor.
The goalscorer was replaced by Messi in the 55th minute and the Argentine superstar took just two minutes to make an impact.
Former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez slipped the ball to the superstar forward in the penalty area and he glided past a couple of challenges before coolly rolling a right-foot shot into the bottom-left corner.
Daniel Gazdag scored for the away side with 10 minutes remaining to set up a nervy finale but it proved a mere consolation for the Union.
Inter are unbeaten through five MLS outings and are now sat atop the standings in the East with 13 points to their name.
Data Debrief: Ageless Messi continues to shine
It will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that Messi continues to be a talisman for Inter.
Even at the ripe age of 37 he continues to terrify defences and he has contributed three goals and two assists in his past four MLS matches.
His old Barca pal Suarez continues to make an impact too and the Uruguay legend has assisted five goals in MLS this season.
With that duo firing, Inter have now scored in 28 straight MLS games, scoring 60 in that run.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
5' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
7' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
13' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
23' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 1-0 Philadelphia Union (Robert Taylor)
37' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
52' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
55' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
57' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 2-0 Philadelphia Union (Lionel Messi)
60' GOAL! Inter Miami CF Philadelphia Union
69' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
80' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 2-1 Philadelphia Union (Dániel Gazdag)
86' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
88' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
96' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Philadelphia Union
Line-ups
Inter Miami CF XI: Oscar Ustari, Suarez, Alba, Busquets, Robert Taylor, Fafà Picault, Maximiliano Falcón, Ian Fray, Federico Redondo, Benja Cremaschi, Tomás Avilés
Subs: Messi, Julian Gressel, Telasco Segovia, Drake Callender, Gonzalo Luján, Noah Allen, Santiago Morales, Yannick Bright, Leo Afonso
Philadelphia Union XI: Andre Blake, Jakob Glesnes, Dániel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre, Tai Baribo, Danley Jean Jacques, Nathan Harriel, Jovan Lukić, Quinn Sullivan, Ian Glavinovich, Frankie Westfield
Subs: Alejandro Bedoya, Olivier Mbaizo, Jesús Bueno, Indiana Vassilev, Chris Donovan, Olwethu Makhanya, Bruno Damiani, Cavan Sullivan, Andrew Rick
GobindaRanaXettri
137
Lionel Messi has scored or assisted in every game he has played for Inter Miami this season. 👏
Patruxxy2
91
scaloni will be faited, Messi will be sainted. Lionel Messi has conquered his final pick, Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. the little boy from Rosario Santa Fe has just pitched up in heaven, his climbing into the galaxy of his own. what is there remains for him to have, what remains for him to win the answer for the question was the world Cup now since he has archives it he's now the GREAT OF ALL TIME, you can have the debate if you want but for me the debate has just settled. PETER TRULY commentary over the GOAT🐐🐐at the world cup
itz_me_ojei
82
🚨 Do you think Messi will play in the 2026 World Cup? Would you like to see him there? 🇨🇵 Hugo Lloris: I don't see Argentina without Messi in the next World Cup. I think he'll be there. He's still playing and enjoying football. It's his decision, but of course we all want to keep watching him play.
itz_me_ojei
55
🚨 This is how Messi lost the 2015 Copa América final-broken, burdened, and blamed.😢 He gave everything, his teammates choked, and he received all the blame. He was the Player of the Tournament.👏 So, Imagine if Messi had someone to carry him the way Cristiano had in Euro 2016—where CR7 didn't even have to play to win. Maybe history would've been kinder.🙏🏽
MARATATA
32
the 🐐
Bright1Isaac
25
Lionel Messi the match winner and the Man of the match award winner.
Wakkufazire
23
never was Never will be a great players like him Mr GOAT 🐐
KingEric
16
That's why they call him THE GOAT 🐐
Ayjazz1997
15
He doesn't give nightmare to his lovers
kikcemrsyz
13
75 goals let’s watch and see the ending 💯