Sun Sep 15 10:58:20 UTC 2024: ## Messi Returns with a Bang, Breaks MLS Record in Miami’s Win
Miami, FL – Lionel Messi made a triumphant return from injury on Saturday, scoring two goals in four minutes and assisting on another in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
The Argentine superstar, who had been sidelined since July with an injury sustained during the Copa América final, showcased his brilliance, reaching a significant milestone in the process. Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 15 goals and 15 assists, achieving this feat in just 19 matches – 10 less than anyone else.
The match started poorly for Miami, with Philadelphia taking the lead in the first minute through Mikael Uhre. However, Messi quickly turned the tide, equalizing with a tap-in goal in the 13th minute and adding his second just four minutes later with a clever finish.
Despite a near-miss equalizer by Philadelphia in the 85th minute, Miami sealed the victory with a well-taken goal by Luis Suárez in the 89th minute, set up by Messi’s precise pass. This goal also marked Suárez’s 17th of the season, setting a new club record for most goals in a single MLS regular season.
Following the game, Messi acknowledged feeling “a little tired” due to the heat and humidity, but expressed his satisfaction with returning to the field. “I really wanted to come back, I had been off the field for a long time,” he said. “Little by little I was training with the group, feeling good, and that’s why we decided that I would start, and I’m very happy – very happy.”
First Piper 