Messi Magic: The Argentine Wizard Returns to Form
After a lengthy absence due to injury, Lionel Messi has finally returned to the pitch, and boy, did he make it count! The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was back to his brilliant best, scoring two goals in four minutes and providing an assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 thrashing of the Philadelphia Union.
Messi’s impressive display was a welcome return to form for the 37-year-old, who had been sidelined since July 14 with an ankle injury. The Argentine star had missed eight MLS games and the World Cup qualifiers for his country, but he didn’t show any signs of rustiness in his first game back.
"I’m a little tired, but I really wanted to come back," Messi said after the match. "I had been off the field for a long time, and I was feeling good, so we decided to start me and I’m very happy – very happy."
Miami coach Gerardo Martino was thrilled to see his star player back in action, saying, "Both players [Messi and Suarez] played the whole game because they were fine to finish the game."
Messi’s two goals, taking him to 14 in just 13 games, put him back in contention for the title of top scorer. Suarez, meanwhile, has 17 goals and is just two behind the current MLS scoring leader, DC United’s Christian Benteke.
The victory extended Inter Miami’s lead at the top of the MLS standings to 62 points, 10 points clear of their closest Eastern Conference challengers FC Cincinnati with six games remaining in the regular season.
"Messi’s two goals, taking him to 14 in just 13 games, put him back in contention for the title of top scorer. Suarez, meanwhile, has 17 goals and is just two behind the current MLS scoring leader, DC United’s Christian Benteke."
Despite their lengthy absence, Inter Miami are in a strong position to win the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team that tops the overall standings. Messi is keen to finish the season on a high, saying, "During the year we were very unlucky with injuries, we were never at full strength. For one reason or another, we were always missing players and the group always came through. Today we are in first place with a big difference and deservedly so, and hopefully we can finish on top for what it means and what comes after that."
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