Argentine superstar Lionel Messi got his name on the scoresheet as his club Inter Miami played out a 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match on Wednesday night. This was Messi’s
first goal since his father’s death earlier this month.
In the 26th minute, Messi found the back of the net with a left-footed shot to deposit the ball inside the far corner to give Miami a 2-1 lead. After muted celebrations with his teammates, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner pointed his hands towards the Philadelphia sky.
Messi had also played a key role in Miami’s first goal of the night when he found Luis Suarez on the left flank who in turn headed the ball across for Daniel Pinter for the equaliser.
MAGIC from Messi as @InterMiamiCF take the lead over the Union! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/lJ5tpDMUIA
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 20, 2026
Philadelphia had taken a lead through Indiana Vassilev, who scored in the 11th minute, and Neil Pierre, who drew them back on level terms in the 58th minute to secure a point.
The goal moved 39-year-old Messi to second on the MLS scoring chart with 13 goals, one behind FC Dallas striker Petar Musa of Croatia.
Messi had gone scoreless in the two matches since returning from Argentina following the death of his father on August 8.
During that stretch, Miami were eliminated from the Leagues Cup after a 3-2 defeat by Mexican side Leon and then suffered a 4-1 MLS loss to Nashville, with Messi missing a penalty.
Inter Miami have now gone four matches without a win and sit seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
Rodrigo De Paul, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup runner-up team alongside Messi, missed Wednesday night’s match through suspension after accumulating yellow cards.
Inter Miami had beaten Philadelphia Union 6-4 on May 24, in the final match before the World Cup break for both teams.
Messi did not score in that game, while Suarez netted a hat trick as Miami recovered from first-half deficits of 2-0 and 3-1.
