Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer regular-season campaign on Saturday, coming off the bench in the club’s 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew.
The Argentina captain was introduced in the 53rd minute, replacing Daniel Pinter in Miami’s first substitution of the match. As he entered the field, Messi reclaimed the captain’s armband from Luis Suarez.
The appearance was Messi’s first match since he represented Argentina at the World Cup, where his side lost to Spain in the final two weeks ago. His return provided a major boost for Inter Miami as they resumed their MLS campaign, although the team were unable to claim victory after surrendering a late equaliser.
Messi was not the only important player to return to Miami’s squad. Rodrigo De Paul, who plays alongside Messi for both club and country, came back into the starting line-up for Saturday’s game.
Inter Miami made the stronger start and took the lead through Suarez. Their advantage was later cancelled out when Casemiro scored an own goal, setting up an open contest between the two sides.
Miami restored their lead in first-half stoppage time through young defender Noah Allen. His goal put Inter Miami in front at the interval and appeared to have placed the hosts in a strong position to secure all three points.
Columbus Crew, however, refused to be beaten and found a way back into the match late on. Brais Mendez scored in the 84th minute, 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute, with the goal coming from a free kick.
The strike ensured the game finished level at 2-2 and denied Inter Miami a winning return for Messi. The draw also meant that the attention surrounding the forward’s comeback was matched by a competitive contest in which both teams held the lead at different stages.
Messi’s introduction came after more than half an hour of the match had already been played, but he immediately resumed his leadership role by taking back the armband from Suarez. His return to the line-up marked the latest step in his return to regular club football following Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
For Inter Miami, Saturday’s result included goals from Suarez and Allen, as well as an own goal from Casemiro, but Columbus’ late response ultimately prevented the home side from finishing the match with a victory. Mendez’s free-kick goal, scored six minutes before full time, secured a share of the points for Columbus Crew.
