Lionel Messi back with a vengeance as Inter Miami star scores brace against Philadelphia Union in winning return from injury

Lionel Messi magic is back as the legendary forward scored a brace within five minutes and provided a later assist to power Inter Miami over the Philadelphia Union in a 3-1 win.

Messi, 37, missed over three months of MLS action due to a combination of the 2024 Copa America and a subsequent injury. His last action in the league was on June 1. The Argentine started and played the full 90 for Inter in his return. Despite the scoreline, the Union largely played a tight match against the home side.

The Philadelphia Union struck first in Saturday's clash at DRV PNK Stadium, scoring just over a minute in. Mikael Uhre danced past a defender before slotting a shot past Drake Callendar, giving the Union an early advantage.

It didn't last long, though, and it was largely because of Messi. The Argentine scored his first goal in the 26th minute, picking a corner after receiving a pass from Luis Suarez. Just four minutes later, Jordi Alba was credited with an assist due to some Messi magic, as Inter Miami's biggest star scored again in the 30th minute to give Inter Miami a lead they would never relinquish.

Suarez scored a stunner of his own just before halftime but, unfortunately for the Uruguayan, it was called back for offside. He would get his goal in dying seconds of the contest, as Messi would find the Uruguayan with an unbelievable assist to pad Miami's lead to 3-1. The Herons already have the best record in the league and look more lethal now that their leading star is back.

The match was Messi's first since the Copa America final, where he suffered an ankle injury in Argentina's eventual 1-0 triumph over Colombia.

Is there any doubt?!?

Two goals and an assist after a three-month hiatus, Messi is back, and he hasn't lost a step. Inter Miami has kept afloat without him, but the forward was quick to remind everyone of just how dominant he is. It doesn't matter the situation, the opponent or even what foot the ball is on; Messi is going to find a way to score.

He'll be glad to be back after such a long layoff, but Miami will be even more glad to have him leading the way again.

We're going big picture here. The answer is everyone else in MLS.

One has to imagine that he's still got some rust to shake off and, if this was a rusty Messi, the league should be afraid. Miami are running away with the Supporters' Shield despite the fact that they haven't had him for over three months... what will they do now that he's healthy?

We'll find out on the road to the playoffs, and so, too, will the rest of the league. Have fun with that, guys.

There will be little rest for Miami as they look ahead to a visit to Atlanta on Wednesday. After that, they'll fly up to New York to take on New York City FC on Sept. 21.