Lionel Messi made his return to Inter Miami this weekend in stunning fashion against the Philadelphia Union.
Two goals and an assist from the reigning Ballon d’Or holder saw Messi put his mark on the game in a big way for Inter Miami, with the Argentine last playing for the Herons back at the start of June before the Copa America.
With Messi saying he felt tired after the game, Inter Miami will need to be cautious with their star attacker heading into the post-season play-offs, with the 37-year-old a key figure in Tata Martino’s plan to win MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.
And expert Andrew Wiebe has now shared which moment against the Union saw Messi fully return for Inter Miami.
Messi’s second Inter Miami goal the moment he truly returned
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the pundit highlighted how Messi’s second goal was the moment the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner truly welcomed his return to MLS action with Inter Miami.
The former FC Barcelona superstar finished off a well-worked move after being picked out by Jordi Alba, with Messi finding the back of the net with a precision few finishers in world soccer currently have.
And for Wiebe, the goal showed everything that makes Messi as good as he is, with the Argentine enjoying a comeback game to remember against the Union in front of a packed Chase Stadium crowd.
Wiebe said: “It’s the angle here, it’s the space, Jordi Alba knows that Lionel Messi can ghost into this area and that he can put the ball in for the only player in the world who can take this shot in this area and find the far post. Look at the power, the speed, he gets it over, he’s smiling, he is officially back.”
Messi looks ready to push the Herons to MLS immortality
Messi’s return could not have gone any better for Inter Miami or for MLS, with the Argentine bringing the spotlight back onto the American top-flight after three months away from league action.
And for Inter Miami, Messi looks ready to push the Florida franchise to MLS history by winning the Supporters’ Shield with the most amount of points ever accumulated in the regular season.
With Inter Miami already MLS Cup favorites, Messi could now play a key role in leading the Herons to success in the play-offs, with Tata Martino already experienced at going all the way in the post-season.