Lionel Messi returned to Major League Soccer (MLS) with a thunderous statement, delivering a vintage performance to lead Inter Miami CF to a commanding 4-1 comeback victory over CF Montreal at Chase Stadium. The Argentine maestro, fresh from his exploits at the FIFA Club World Cup, dazzled fans with a two-goal masterclass and orchestrated an attacking symphony that reignited Inter Miami’s playoff charge.
In front of a sold-out Miami crowd brimming with anticipation, Messi’s comeback couldn’t have been better scripted. His influence was immediate, and by the final whistle, there was no doubt—the Herons are a different beast with their talisman back.
Early Setback Sparks Urgency
CF Montreal arrived in Fort Lauderdale with a clear plan—disrupt Miami’s rhythm, press high, and capitalize on transitions. The strategy paid off in the early minutes, as Miami’s defense looked unsettled by Montreal’s intensity.
In the 12th minute, midfielder Mathieu Choinière found space after a slick give-and-go with Bryce Duke, curling a low shot past Drake Callender at the near post. The goal silenced the home fans briefly and ignited Montreal’s traveling support. It was a clinical finish and an early warning for Miami.
However, conceding seemed to snap Inter Miami into action. Midfielders Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi began dictating the tempo, regaining control through calm possession. And when Messi dropped deeper to collect the ball, Montreal’s compact lines began to unravel.
Messi’s First The Equalizer That Changed Everything
By the 28th minute, the pressure was mounting. Jordi Alba—returning from his own Club World Cup campaign—linked up with Messi down the left. A smart give-and-go freed Alba to cut inside, slipping the ball across the top of the box.
Messi took one touch to control and another to whip a trademark low drive into the bottom right corner, leaving Jonathan Sirois with no chance. The stadium erupted. The scoreboard read 1-1, but it felt like the beginning of a siege.
“He doesn’t need time to settle. It’s instant impact, like flipping a switch,” said Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino post-match.
Inter Miami Dominance Emerges
At halftime, both managers made adjustments. Montreal’s Laurent Courtois urged his players to regain their composure, but Miami came out for the second half like a team possessed. Messi’s presence lifted every player—from the composed Busquets to the aggressive forward runs of Robert Taylor and Luis Suárez, who returned to the starting XI.
Within five minutes of the restart, Inter Miami turned up the heat.
Messi’s Second Pure Brilliance on Display
In the 52nd minute, a turnover in midfield allowed Busquets to thread a first-time pass toward Suárez, who drew two defenders before squaring it to Messi on the edge of the box. With barely a glance, Messi chipped Sirois with his weaker right foot—a perfectly weighted finish that stunned even Montreal’s bench.
The goal was a reminder of his genius: composure, technique, vision, and audacity all in one moment. It also shifted the match’s tone irreversibly.
Support Cast Steps Up Taylor and Suárez Seal the Deal
With Miami flying, Montreal’s defense began to crumble under sustained pressure. In the 63rd minute, a mazy run from DeAndre Yedlin down the right flank ended with a low cross across the six-yard box. Taylor, arriving late, guided it in with the outside of his boot to make it 3-1.
Ten minutes later, it was Luis Suárez’s turn to get on the scoresheet. A short-corner routine saw Alba cross deep toward the back post. Cremaschi headed it down, and Suárez—never one to miss from close range—poked it home with a poacher’s finish.
At 4-1, the contest was over, but the fans weren’t ready to leave. They wanted more Messi. And for 90 minutes, they got him.
Tactical Analysis How Martino Outmaneuvered Courtois
Montreal’s 4-3-3 shape failed to compress space between lines once Messi began dropping into the half-spaces. Busquets and Alba operated almost as additional playmakers, dragging defenders wide and allowing Suárez to act as a pivot.
Martino’s system wasn’t just built around Messi—it was built to maximize chaos once Messi started dictating pace. Taylor’s width and Alba’s overlaps created overloads, while Cremaschi ghosted into advanced roles to link.
Defensively, Miami pressed more aggressively than usual in the second half, anticipating Montreal’s attempts to reset. Yedlin’s high positioning and Alba’s defensive cover gave the fullbacks license to create from deep.
Post-Match Reaction: What They Said
- Lionel Messi
“I missed this. The energy, the rhythm, the fans. I just wanted to enjoy again. The goals are a bonus, but I’m here to help this team win.”
- Gerardo Martino
“He makes everything easier. His return gives the whole squad confidence—and today we saw the effect.”
- Laurent Courtois (Montreal manager)
“We started well, but when Messi’s in that mood, it’s hard to contain. We didn’t adjust quickly enough. He punished us.”
Messi’s Season So Far Numbers That Matter
Despite missing several MLS fixtures due to Club World Cup duty, Messi’s 2025 campaign remains astonishing:
- Goals: 12 (in 9 MLS appearances)
- Assists: 8
- Key passes per match: 4.2
- Dribbles completed per match: 5.1
- Pass completion in final third: 86%
His return raises immediate questions for opposing defenses and major promise for Inter Miami’s postseason hopes.
The Club World Cup Bounce Carrying Momentum Back to MLS
Messi’s Club World Cup performance for Inter Miami—where he netted three goals and provided four assists across the tournament—was a global showcase of the Herons’ potential. Though the club fell short of the final, the exposure and competitive rhythm Messi gained appear to have seamlessly translated into MLS success.
Notably, Alba and Suárez also benefited from the tournament’s intensity, returning with sharpness rarely seen in midseason MLS squads. Martino spoke about the importance of “competitive continuity,” and this win exemplified that theory in practice.
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