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Lionel Messi subs in and quickly scores for Inter Miami (1:28)
Lionel Messi substitutes in and nets a goal to give Inter Miami CF a 2-0 lead against the Philadelphia Union. (1:28)
ESPN News Services
Mar 29, 2025, 09:35 PM ET
Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the South Florida side into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pass from Luis Suárez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two Philadelphia defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter Miami lead.
It was Messi's second goal in three Major League Soccer matches this season. He did not start the match, but was cleared to play earlier in the week after missing time -- including two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina -- with an adductor injury.
Dániel Gazdag got the goal for Philadelphia (4-2-0) in the 80th minute, but Inter Miami held on from there.
Messi also was dealing with an issue with his left thigh along with the adductor injury, which happened two weeks ago in an Inter Miami game against Atlanta. But the team did not play during that two-week stretch, so the only matches Messi missed were the World Cup qualifiers -- when Argentina, which Messi captained to the 2022 title, qualified for the 2026 tournament.
Messi came Saturday in the 55th minute, and the goal came in the 57th. He's had at least one goal contribution in all three MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 4-0-1 in MLS play and 8-0-1 overall this season when adding in four victories in Concacaf Champions Cup matches.
Inter Miami jumped in front in the 23rd minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Robert Taylor. Benjamin Cremaschi and Jordi Alba assisted on that goal.
Messi came on for Taylor and quickly stretched the lead to 2-0 with Suarez and Fafà Picault getting assists.
The Union return home to play Orlando City on April 5. Inter Miami -- which continues Concacaf Champions League play Wednesday at LAFC -- will return to MLS play April 6, hosting Toronto FC.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
