 Lionel Messi made a statement in his return game with Inter Miami, scoring two goals in four minutes for his MLS side.
Messi stepped back on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina’s Copa America title-winning game over Colombia in July.
The Argentine sent South Beach fans on their feet, scoring a quick brace to help Miami take the lead over the Philadelphia Union.
His first goal came in the 26th minute with the Herons down 1-0. Jordi Alba dribbled the ball down the middle before connecting with Luis Suarez. The former Barcelona trio completed the play after Suarez played a perfect one-touch pass around a Union defender.
The ball ended up on Messi’s feet, who touched the ball into space, spun his defender, and slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner.
Less than four minutes later, Alba and Messi connected again to break the 1-1 deadlock.
The Spanish fullback found himself open on the corner of the penalty box before playing a grass-cutting pass inside. After the ball skipped Suarez, Messi beat the opposition with his magical left foot, sending it to the opposite corner of his first goal.
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