Speaker 1: Lionel Messi made his return to competitive club football for
Inter Miami, coming off the bench as a second half
substitute in a dramatic two to two draw against Eastern
Conference contender's Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium. The thirty nine
year old Argentine captain stepped onto the pitch just thirteen
days after leading his national side through a grueling one
hundred twenty minute battle against Spain in the twenty twenty
six FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey. Following a
brief ten day period of rest and family recovery in Rosario,
Messi rejoined training under Intern Miami head coach Giermo Oyos
earlier in the week. While international teammate Rodrigo de Paul
was named directly to the starting line up alongside recent
marquee signing Case Moreau. Oyos opted to manage Messi's physical
workload by naming the eight time Balloon do Or winner
among the substitutes. Inter Miami sees the initiative early in
front of a sellout crowd in Fort Lauderdale, Informed striker
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute, connecting
on a cross to register his seventh goal in his
last four outings. Columbus Crew drew level in the thirty
fourth minute following an unfortunate own goal credited to case Moreau,
but Miami restored their advantage deep in first half stoppage
time when young defender Noah Allen capitalized on a loose
ball inside the penalty box to send the hosts into
the break with a two to one lead. The atmosphere
inside Chase Stadium erupted in the fifty second minute when
Messi removed his warm up bib and entered the match
to replace German Birdraim, Operating in his accustomed floating playmaker role.
The iconic forward wasted little time imposing his influence, completing
thirteen accurate passes and recording four shots as Inter Miami
pressed to extend their cushion. However, Columbus Crew struck back
against the run of play in the eighty fourth minute,
as Brace Mendez executed a precise curling finish past Miami
goalkeeper Drake Kel to snatch a two to two equalizer.
Despite dropping two points late in regulation, the draw keeps
enter Miami atop the Eastern Conference standings as they maintain
their push for the supporter's shield. Messi's successful return without
physical complications provides a major boost for the Florida side
as they shift focus to defense of their title in
the upcoming League's Cup, beginning with a group stage opener
against Lega MX side at Lettico San Luis.