Messi returns from injury, scores two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Philadelphia

Lionel Messi returned to the Inter Miami starting lineup Saturday night for the first time since June 1, energized his adoring fans at Chase Stadium and reminded them of the magic they had been missing in his absence.

The 37-year-old Argentine captain, coming off a right ankle injury, scored twice in a five-minute span and had an assist on Luis Suarez’s extra-time goal as Miami beat the Philadelphia Union, 3-1.

Union forward Mikael Uhre’s goal in the second minute had briefly spoiled Messi’s welcome-back party and put Miami behind early. But the GOAT came to the rescue for the men in pink, picking up where he left off before his layoff, looking like he had never left.

Inter Miami widened its Eastern Conference lead with six games to go. Miami has 62 points, 10 ahead of second-place Cincinnati. Miami also leads the Supporters Shield race with the league’s best record and would get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if it stays on top.

Philadelphia dominated play for the first 20 minutes and would have scored again were it not for two spectacular saves by Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, who had a huge game just days after becoming a father. Then, just when Miami fans were starting to worry, starting to gripe about shoddy defense, Messi showed why he is the most revered player in the world.

He scored the equalizing goal in the 27th minute, collecting a pass from Suarez in the box, getting around defender Kai Wagner with a clever move and then launching a perfect shot with his right foot. Jordi Alba got the sequence started, sending the ball from the left side to his former FC Barcelona teammates.

Messi was engulfed by his jubilant teammates and the crowd went wild.

But he wasn’t done.

Four minutes later, Alba and Messi connected again. This time it was Messi’s left foot doing the damage. He shot the ball from the center of the box to the bottom right corner for the go-ahead goal.

Suarez appeared to make it 3-1 just before halftime, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review. He scored one that counted in extra time, bringing his season total to 17 goals, one shy of the Golden Boot leader Christian Benteke of D.C. United.

Messi has scored 14 goals and had 13 assists in 13 league games so far this season. With a brace, Messi has produced 15 goals and 16 assists in his first 19 MLS games, becoming the fastest player in league history to do so.

He missed five games in June and July while playing for Argentina in Copa America, and then missed eight more after injuring ligaments in his right ankle during the Copa final on July 14 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Messi returned to training three weeks ago, sat out practice Wednesday due to a head cold, but was back with the team on Thursday. The only question was whether he would start or come off the bench.

Clearly, he was ready to start.

Asked on Friday what it would mean for the team to get Messi back, coach Tata Martino smiled and replied: “To get back the best player in the world to our team, which was already on a good run, we are all very happy with this situation.”

Midfielder Robert Taylor said he did not anticipate there being much of an adjustment period with Messi’s return to the lineup.

“Of course, two months is a long time, for anyone, but he’s the best player there is,” Taylor said. “So, I don’t think we’ll see much of a different Messi than we’ve seen before.”