'I felt scared at first' - Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi admits caution on injury return before scoring brace vs. Orlando City SC

Lionel Messi returned to full action after missing two straight matches and logging just 45 minutes in Inter Miami’s previous outings. Despite limited training, he played the full 90 minutes against Orlando City, delivering an epic brace to overturn a 1-0 deficit before Telasco Segovia sealed a 3-1 win in the closing minutes.

 “I wanted to be here. Against the LA Galaxy, I felt uncomfortable, but I knew how important this rival was. I prepared for it. In the first half, I felt scared, but little by little I loosened up," Messi told Apple TV after the match. 

The Argentine reached 877 career goals, leaving him just 23 shy of the 900 mark. He is also 11 assists away from 400, and only 34 goal contributions from becoming the first player in history to be directly involved in 1,300 goals. On Sunday, he will look to lift the 47th trophy of his career.

With head coach Javier Mascherano suspended, assistant Javier Morales - who coached on the sideline -  praised the No. 10’s decisive performance.

“With Leo, words fall short. He barely trained, then came in and played 90 minutes," Morales said. "For us, it’s a privilege to have him, and for the fans, too, to watch him score goals. We’re very happy."

Morales also highlighted Messi’s impact beyond the pitch: “He’s a leader on and off the field. Learning from him goes beyond football - it’s also about how he leads.”

Inter Miami have now beaten Orlando City in both of their Leagues Cup knockout meetings - first in the 2023 Round of 32, and again in this year’s semifinal.

The Herons will play the final for the Leagues Cup title on Sunday against either the Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy.