Heading into Saturday, Lionel Messi had not played in a competitive match since the Copa America final on July 14, while the last time he had featured for Inter Miami in MLS action was all the way back on June 1. You wouldn't have known, however, as he casually returned to the Miami line up and promptly scored a four-minute brace before setting up a late Luis Suarez goal in the 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. It was as if he had never left.
Miami now boast a seven-point lead over second-placed LA Galaxy in the Supporters' Shield standings after Messi's latest heroics. Add in the fact they have a game in-hand, too, and the regular season title is now theirs to lose.
Miami played nine league matches without their No.10 this summer, staying afloat and competing at a high level across MLS. Now, with him back in the mix, the expectations are sky-high for Tata Martino's side. An MLS Supporters' Shield, the top overall seed in the 2024 MLS play-offs, a run towards MLS Cup - it's all in play, so they cannot afford to falter. And neither can Messi.
