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Inter Miami
Major League Soccer
Sep 15, 2024 at 12.30am UK
Inter Miami CF Stadium
Philadelphia Union

Inter Miami
3 - 1
Philadelphia

Messi (26', 30'), Suarez (90+8')
Aviles (32'), Martino (33'), Suarez (75'), Messi (87'), Busquets (90+5')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Uhre (2')
Elliott (56'), Sullivan (72')

Lionel Messi sets new MLS record during his Inter Miami return

Messi makes MLS history during Inter Miami return
© Reuters
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi marks his return from an ankle injury with a record-breaking display against Philadelphia Union.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a record-breaking display in Saturday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.

Messi had been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia in July's Copa America final.

As a result, the 37-year-old had not played for Inter Miami since scoring in a 3-3 draw against St Louis City on June 2.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Philadelphia, Inter Miami boss Tata Martino confirmed that Messi would be available for selection despite missing Wednesday's training session through illness.

Although he had been out of action for around two months, Messi was deemed fit enough to start the fixture at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi makes MLS history

Messi required just 26 minutes to get on the scoresheet, shifting the ball onto his right foot before guiding a low shot into the bottom corner.

Just four minutes later, Messi added to his and Inter Miami's tally, sweeping the ball past Andrew Rick after being teed up by Jordi Alba.

Not only did Messi give his side a two-goal advantage, but he also created a piece of MLS history with his quickfire double.

As a result of the brace, the former Barcelona star became the fastest player to reach 15 goals and 15 assists in MLS history.

Messi achieved the feat in just 19 MLS matches, smashing the previous record which was held by Sebastian Giovinco, who registered 15 goals and 15 assists in his first 29 MLS appearances.

After setting a new record, Messi went on to grab his 16th MLS assist in the second half, laying the ball off for Luis Suarez to add his name to the scoresheet.

When will Messi play next?

The victory moved Inter Miami onto 62 points, leaving them 10 points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Messi and Inter Miami will be back in action in midweek, with Martino's side set to travel to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a meeting with Atlanta United.

After playing 90 minutes against Philadelphia, it remains to be seen whether Messi will start just days after making his return to action.

Inter Miami and Messi will also take into account the fact that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has artificial turf, and such a pitch has previously been linked with an increased risk of injury.

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How you voted: Inter Miami vs Philadelphia

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Draw
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Philadelphia Union
2.2%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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