FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi’s right hamstring may not be 100%. But he’s still able to deliver highlight moments and give the impression he’s fully healthy.
Messi made his injury return, scoring a game-deciding goal in the 84th minute, Jordi Alba (43’) and Luis Suarez (89’) also scored goals, and Inter Miami beat the defending MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy 3-1 at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 16.
It appeared to be a laborious return to action for the Argentine World Cup champion, playing in his first match since suffering a right hamstring injury on Aug. 2.
Despite his highlight goal and a stellar heel assist to Suarez to cap his return, there were several instances where Messi was seen bent over, trying to stretch his hamstring during stoppages in play.
Messi waited by the closest part of the pitch near the locker room area and walked immediately inside the stadium corridor when the match concluded.
“He clearly wasn’t 100% comfortable,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi after the match. “Now, the reality is that as the minutes went by, he loosened up a little bit more. We’ll have to see how he ended up in terms of fatigue.”
The Galaxy match served as a barometer for Messi’s health before Inter Miami plays in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals against Tigres UANL, set for 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 20. Inter Miami’s next match in the MLS regular season is Aug. 23 on the road against D.C. United.
Messi entered Saturday’s match at halftime, walking onto the pitch and adjusting the captain’s armband around his left bicep as the second half began. He already caused a ruckus in the stadium, warming up before the first half ended.
Within two minutes, Messi fired his first shot in the 46th minute, which soared over the net. Ten minutes later, Messi sent a shot that was much closer to the net, barely above it.
Joseph Paintsil tied the match, 1-1, for the Galaxy in the 59th minute, setting the stage for Messi to decide the game in the final 10 minutes.
Messi finished the match, jogging close to full speed before providing a shifty finish around a defender to help Inter Miami secure the victory.
Messi became the second-fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals, doing so in 44 league matches. Josef Martínez, the 2018 MLS MVP with Atlanta United who played alongside Messi on Inter Miami in 2023, did so in 42 matches.
“At the end of the day, he’s been out for two weeks with an injury. It was something very, very minor, and the three training sessions we had were good,” Mascherano said of Messi. “And I’ll say it again, the important thing is that he finished the game. I saw him get better as the minutes went by, but in the end, we’ll have to see how he is (Sunday), how he feels when he wakes up, and take it day by day.”
Messi’s injury caused him to miss two matches: Inter Miami advanced to the Leagues Cup knockout stage with a 3-1 win against Pumas on Aug. 6, then lost 4-1 to Orlando City in a regular-season match on Aug. 10.
Mascherano said Messi wanted to play on the road in Orlando, but it was “impossible.”
Messi’s health will continue to be the focus for Inter Miami in the next week.
“You have understand why Leo is Leo, because he always wants to be on the pitch. He’s happy there,” Mascherano said. “Sometimes we try to explain to him to go slowly, but in the end when he feels good, he knows himself like no one (else). We tried to give him some minutes to start to find a good feeling for the next games.”
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Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy highlights
Inter Miami 3, LA Galaxy 1: Luis Suarez scores goal
Inter Miami 2, LA Galaxy 1: Messi scores goal in return
Inter Miami 1, LA Galaxy 1: Joseph Paintsil scores goal
Joseph Paintsil has scored for the Galaxy, finishing past Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari in the 59th minute.
Inter Miami 1, LA Galaxy 0: Messi fires shot, nearly scores
Messi fired a shot over the net in the 56th minute, barely missing over the net. After the play, Messi and Jordi Alba each exchanged thumbs up to each other for the pass he was unable to finish.
Inter Miami 1, LA Galaxy 0: Messi enters match in second half
When the second half began, Messi walked immediately onto the pitch with the captain’s armband around his left bicep. He was immediately substituted into the match after halftime. It didn’t take him long to fire his first shot, soaring a left boot over the net in the 46th minute.
Inter Miami 1, LA Galaxy 0: Messi begins warming up before halftime
The crowd inside Chase Stadium erupted when Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine World Cup champions, came off the bench to begin stretching just before halftime. Expect to see them both in the second half, with Messi making his return from injury.
Inter Miami 1, LA Galaxy 0: Jordi Alba scores goal
As Lionel Messi came off the bench to begin warming up, two of his former FC Barcelona running mates secured a lead right before halftime. Sergio Busquets found Jordi Alba in space, and Alba provided the finish in the 43rd minute.
Inter Miami starting lineup vs. LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy lineup vs. Inter Miami
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is expected to play. He is a substitute for Inter Miami against the Galaxy.
What time is Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina)
How to watch Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy match?
The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and on Apple TV+.
Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: -220
Tie: +380
Away: +475
Over/under: 3.5 goals
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
Aug. 20: Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL (Leagues Cup quarterfinals)
Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)