🤯 JUST IN: Messi is BACK on the pitch only 13 days after the World Cup Final! The 39-year-old legend proved age is just a number with a breathtaking performance for Inter Miami. He was absolutely everywhere, pulling the strings and almost scoring a wonder goal! But wait until you see the dramatic twist at the end of the match… Click the link in the comments to read the full recap of this unbelievable game! 👇👇👇
Just thirteen days. That’s all the time it took for the greatest player of his generation to lace up his boots and return to the pitch after the grueling intensity of a World Cup Final. At 39 years old, when most players would be taking a well-deserved, extended vacation, Lionel Messi was back in action for Inter Miami, proving that his passion for the beautiful game burns as fiercely as ever.
The scene was set on the morning of August 2 (Vietnam time), as Inter Miami welcomed the Columbus Crew in a highly anticipated MLS clash. The Nu Stadium was buzzing, the air thick with anticipation. It was Messi’s first appearance since Argentina’s heartbreaking loss in the 2026 World Cup final, a moment that left fans wondering how the superstar would respond. The answer? With pure, unadulterated fire.
Although head coach Javier Mascherano opted to start the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner on the bench to manage his fitness, Messi’s presence alone was enough to electrify the crowd. From the moment he stepped out to warm up, the stadium erupted in deafening cheers. It was a clear message: Miami loves their captain, and they were desperate to see him work his magic once more.
And magic is exactly what he delivered when he finally entered the fray in the 52nd minute, replacing Benjamin Cremaschi. It took less than sixty seconds for Messi to remind everyone why he is considered the GOAT. Receiving the ball on the left flank, he effortlessly danced past a defender before unleashing a vicious shot from a tight angle. The ball rippled the side netting, creating such an optical illusion that half the stadium roared, mistakenly believing he had scored a sensational comeback goal.
But Messi wasn’t done. Just moments later, his former Barcelona teammate and close friend, Luis Suarez, delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area. Reading the flight of the ball perfectly, Messi executed a breathtaking, instinctive one-touch volley. The strike was powerful and precise, leaving Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte rooted to the spot. The crowd held its breath, only to exhale in collective agony as the ball agonizingly shaved the outside of the post.
In just over thirty minutes of action, Messi accumulated four clear scoring opportunities. He was a constant menace, dropping deep to orchestrate the play, accelerating down the flanks to stretch the defense, and threading passes that only he could see. He even drifted to the right wing—the very position where he created so many iconic moments for Argentina during the World Cup—causing chaos for the Columbus backline. His energy was infectious, and his late, powerful strike from outside the box that sailed just over the crossbar proved that his physical capabilities remain astonishingly intact.
Even when he wasn’t directly involved in the play, Messi’s emotional investment was palpable. While still on the bench in the first half, his face lit up with a brilliant smile as Suarez opened the scoring with a trademark, world-class finish. Later, when Noah Allen restored Miami’s lead to 2-1 following a disastrous own goal by new signing Casemiro, Messi was the first to leap to his feet, embracing his teammates on the sidelines in pure jubilation.
However, football is a cruel and unpredictable game. Despite Messi’s brilliant orchestration and Miami’s apparent control, the script took a dark turn in the dying moments. The Columbus Crew, refusing to roll over, fought back tenaciously. The turning point arrived in the 84th minute. A foul just outside the penalty area presented a dangerous opportunity, and midfielder Brais Méndez stepped up to take the free kick. With devastating precision, Méndez curled a magnificent strike over the wall and into the back of the net, leaving the Inter Miami goalkeeper with no chance.
The late equalizer was a bitter pill for Inter Miami to swallow. The 2-2 draw felt like a defeat, as they squandered the chance to overtake Nashville and claim the top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. It was a game of stark contrasts: the brilliance of Suarez’s opener, the misfortune of Casemiro’s own goal, the undeniable spark of Messi’s return, and the heartbreak of Méndez’s late stunner.
Another significant storyline from the match was the debut of Rodrigo De Paul. The Argentine midfielder, fresh off just one training session with the squad, was thrust straight into the starting lineup and played the full 90 minutes. His presence adds another layer of intrigue and talent to an already star-studded Miami roster. Meanwhile, despite his unfortunate own goal, Casemiro showed flashes of the midfield dominance that has defined his career, hinting at a promising partnership in the center of the park.
While Messi didn’t find the back of the net in his highly anticipated return, his performance was nothing short of a resounding success. To play with such intensity, creativity, and physical sharpness just two weeks after the mental and physical toll of a World Cup campaign is a testament to his unparalleled professionalism and enduring love for the sport.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to kick off their Leagues Cup campaign mid-week against Atlético San Luis. Given his scintillating 30-minute cameo against Columbus, it is almost certain that Messi will return to the starting XI. If this match was any indication, the 39-year-old maestro is primed and ready to lead his team on another deep cup run. The goals will surely come, but for now, the football world can simply rejoice that Lionel Messi is back on the pitch, doing what he does best.
