Watch: The magic of Messi as he returns with stunning goal and assist for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi returned from injury in style on Saturday night, scoring one and assisting another to guide Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi, who had missed three matches with a thigh injury, started on the bench but came on in the second half. With the score tied 1-1 in the 84th minute, he produced a trademark moment of brilliance — dribbling past two defenders before firing a stunning strike past Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic.

Just minutes later, Messi set up Luis Suárez with a clever back-heel, and the Uruguayan finished clinically to seal the victory. It was Suárez’s first open-play goal in nine matches and his sixth of the season. Jordi Alba had earlier opened the scoring for Miami with a well-timed finish from Sergio Busquets’ through ball.



The win (13-5-6, 45 points) gave Miami a vital boost in the Supporters’ Shield race, bouncing back from last week’s 4-1 loss to Orlando City.

The Galaxy (3-16-7, 16 points), meanwhile, extended their winless league run to four games despite a brilliant equalizer from Joseph Paintsil in the 59th minute. Paintsil’s solo effort briefly gave LA hope, but Messi’s 19th MLS goal of the season proved decisive.

Inter Miami dominated the match with 28 total shots to LA’s five, including an early strike from Suárez that hit the post and a disallowed effort from Telasco Segovia.

Messi’s late heroics ensured Miami’s first league win since July 19 — and reminded fans once again why he remains the game’s biggest showman.