&w=3840&q=100)
WATCH: Lionel Messi stuns fans with no-look assist on Inter Miami return
Despite missing the previous two games with a hamstring issue sustained on August 2 during the Leagues Cup, Messi returned with a goal and a dazzling no-look assist that left fans stunned. His teammate Maximiliano Falcón summed it up best: 'We're used to this. You saw what he did, got a clean look and finished like only he can.'
This Messi assist is ???????????????????????????????????????? ???? ???? @MLS pic.twitter.com/A49hBT9JuC
— 433 (@433) August 17, 2025
Having rejoined training midweek, Messi was confirmed fit by coach Javier Mascherano ahead of the clash. Though he and fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul skipped pregame warmups, the two world champions entered at halftime to thunderous applause, and immediately made an impact.
Messi found the net within minutes of coming on, reinforcing his position as MLS' top scorer this season. But the real highlight came moments later when he produced a no-look pass that set up Luis Suárez for Miami's third goal, a moment that had the stadium erupting and social media buzzing.
Mascherano, speaking after the match, praised Messi's hunger to play. 'Leo always wants to be on the pitch. He even asked to play against Orlando. That competitive drive is what makes him who he is.'
Messi's return couldn't have come at a better time. Inter Miami are gearing up for a crucial clash on Wednesday against Mexican giants Tigres UANL in South Florida. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy, already through to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, rotated their squad in preparation for their upcoming showdown with Pachuca.
Messi's 45-minute performance was a reminder of why he's still the heartbeat of this Inter Miami side—and why no one writes him off, even after a short layoff.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Lionel Messi makes stunning no-look backheel assist for Luis Suarez in MLS, awestruck fans demand 'come back to Europe'
Lionel Messi sent another timely reminder in the Major League Soccer just why his presence changes everything. Making his comeback from a hamstring injury, the Inter Miami captain returned in trademark fashion on Saturday night, scoring one goal and creating another in a 3-1 win over reigning champions LA Galaxy. Lionel Messi's assist for Luis Suarez(X) Messi, who had missed Miami's previous two games, was introduced at halftime to a deafening reception inside DRV PNK Stadium. Within minutes, the chants of 'Messi! Messi! Messi!' were ringing out, and by full time, the fans had been treated to another showcase of his trademark magic. His decisive moment came with a familiar touch of brilliance. Picking up the ball with space to work in, Messi needed no second invitation. A clean strike and the net rippled, Inter Miami were back in front, and the crowd erupted. Defender Maximiliano Falcón admitted afterwards that the team has almost come to take such genius for granted. 'We're used to this. You saw what he did, got the ball with a clear look at goal and scored,' he said. But one of the best moments came late in the second half, when the Argentine produced a breathtaking no-look assist for Luis Suarez, threading a pass that left the Galaxy defence helpless. The finish made it 3-1. Watch the assist: The fans, left awestruck with Messi's brilliant assist, demanded his return to Europe, with many hoping he had stayed on the continent. Messi left Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 to join Inter Miami. Head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi's competitive edge is what sets him apart even after so many years at the top. 'He wants to play every single game. He wanted to play in Orlando also. You have to understand why Leo is Leo, because he always wants to be on the pitch,' Mascherano explained. Messi had been sidelined since pulling up with a hamstring strain against Necaxa on August 2 in the Leagues Cup. Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of that competition without him but were handed a humbling 4-1 defeat by rivals Orlando City in league action. His return could not have been more timely, with a crunch clash against Mexican powerhouse Tigres UANL set for Wednesday. For Galaxy, the defeat came as they rotated heavily with their own Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Pachuca looming.
Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
WATCH: Lionel Messi stuns fans with no-look assist on Inter Miami return
Lionel Messi announced his comeback from injury in trademark style, reminding the footballing world that his magic is far from fading. In front of a roaring crowd at Chase Stadium, the Argentine maestro helped guide Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy on Saturday night. Despite missing the previous two games with a hamstring issue sustained on August 2 during the Leagues Cup, Messi returned with a goal and a dazzling no-look assist that left fans stunned. His teammate Maximiliano Falcón summed it up best: 'We're used to this. You saw what he did, got a clean look and finished like only he can.' This Messi assist is ???????????????????????????????????????? ???? ???? @MLS — 433 (@433) August 17, 2025 Having rejoined training midweek, Messi was confirmed fit by coach Javier Mascherano ahead of the clash. Though he and fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul skipped pregame warmups, the two world champions entered at halftime to thunderous applause, and immediately made an impact. Messi found the net within minutes of coming on, reinforcing his position as MLS' top scorer this season. But the real highlight came moments later when he produced a no-look pass that set up Luis Suárez for Miami's third goal, a moment that had the stadium erupting and social media buzzing. Mascherano, speaking after the match, praised Messi's hunger to play. 'Leo always wants to be on the pitch. He even asked to play against Orlando. That competitive drive is what makes him who he is.' Messi's return couldn't have come at a better time. Inter Miami are gearing up for a crucial clash on Wednesday against Mexican giants Tigres UANL in South Florida. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy, already through to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, rotated their squad in preparation for their upcoming showdown with Pachuca. Messi's 45-minute performance was a reminder of why he's still the heartbeat of this Inter Miami side—and why no one writes him off, even after a short layoff.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
12 hours ago
- First Post
Lionel Messi scores on return as Inter Miami beat LA Galaxy 3-1 in MLS
Lionel Messi returned from injury to score for Inter Miami in a 3-1 win over LA Galaxy in MLS. The Argentine superstar came on at halftime and netted with help from Rodrigo de Paul. Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in MLS for third straight year. Image: Reuters FORT LAUDERDALE: Lionel Messi returned from injury for Inter Miami to chants of 'Messi! Messi! Messi!' in a 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday. It was the magic defender Maximiliano Falcón said the team has come to expect. 'We're used to this. You saw what he did, got the ball with a clear look at goal and scored,' Falcón said in Spanish. Even after a two game absence it was no surprise that Messi, MLS' top goal scorer, led Inter Miami to victory. He had been training with the team since midweek and coach Javier Mascherano confirmed he would be available for the weekend match. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Argentine superstar put in a 45 minute shift and his countryman Rodrigo de Paul assisted him as they beat the worst team in MLS. The two world champions did not participate in pregame warmups, but they did warm up before they entered the game at halftime to the raucous cheers of Miami fans. More from Football Messi injured his hamstring on Aug. 2 against Necaxa in a Leagues Cup match. Inter Miami reached the Leagues Cup quarterfinals without him, but were defeated by instate rivals Orlando City 4-1 in MLS action. Besides his ability, it's Messi's competitive attitude that transcends this Miami squad according to Mascherano. 'He wants to play every single game. He wanted to play in Orlando also. You have to understand why Leo is Leo, because he always wants to be on the pitch,' Mascherano said after the win over Galaxy. Messi's return comes at an important time, before his squad takes on eight-time Mexican champions Tigres UANL in South Florida on Wednesday. LA Galaxy, the reigning 2024 MLS Cup Champions, also looked at this Saturday's game as a chance to rotate their squad ahead of their Leagues Cup quarterfinal match against C.F. Pachuca.
