Lionel Messi Returns in 2-2 Inter Miami Draw Against Columbus Crew

Lionel Messi played his first match since the World Cup final, entering in the 53rd minute of Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew.

Inter Miami played to a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Nu Stadium, a match defined by the 53rd-minute introduction of Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old forward made his first appearance for the Herons since May 24, ending a hiatus that included captaining Argentina through the World Cup final on July 19. Messi replaced Dániel Pintér in the second half, nearly scoring three minutes after his entrance when he dragged a left-footed shot wide of the near post following a pass from Luis Suárez.

Luis Suárez dominated the first-half scoresheet, opening the scoring with an audacious long-range strike that beat Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. After the visitors equalized via a Casemiro own goal—the Brazilian midfielder's first since 2011—Suárez provided the assist for Noah Allen to restore the Miami lead on the stroke of halftime. However, Brais Méndez secured a point for the Columbus Crew by converting an 84th-minute free kick to finalize the 2-2 scoreline.

Messi and De Paul Rejoin the Lineup

Saturday marked the return of both Messi and Rodrigo De Paul to club duties, 13 days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain at MetLife Stadium. While Messi began on the bench, De Paul started in the midfield and played alongside Casemiro. Both players had previously been excused from matches against Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal, as well as the MLS All-Star Game, to recover from their international exploits. Messi’s World Cup campaign featured eight goals and four assists across his sixth appearance in the tournament.

Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos utilized the post-match press conference to thank his returning stars for their immediate availability. He specifically highlighted the "truly important" presence of Messi and De Paul while acknowledging that the victory slipped away in the closing stages. The result leaves Inter Miami trailing Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC by two points in the standings.

Casemiro’s Home Debut and Defensive Performance

Casemiro made his second appearance for Inter Miami and his first at Nu Stadium since arriving from Manchester United this summer. Despite the misfortune of scoring an own goal, Hoyos described the veteran as one of the best players in the world, praising his ability to provide balance between the defensive and attacking lines. The coach emphasized Casemiro's role in ensuring the ball is played out cleanly from the back, labeling him a "fantastic signing."

Defensively, Miami held the lead until the final six minutes of regulation. The equalizer from Méndez denied the Herons a chance to leapfrog Nashville SC. The squad now turns its focus toward the Leagues Cup, where they are scheduled to host Atlético de San Luis on Wednesday. Following that fixture, the club will face Monterrey and León as they attempt to progress to the knockout rounds of the regional competition.

Statistical Milestones and Records

Messi’s appearance on Saturday was his first since facing the Philadelphia Union earlier this year. During his recent international stint, he played the full 120 minutes of the World Cup final, while De Paul featured for 70 minutes of that match. The draw against Columbus keeps Miami in a competitive position within the fiercely contested league, a fact Hoyos attributed to the sustained effort of the entire roster. The team remains at Nu Stadium for their upcoming midweek continental fixture.