Lionel Messi is back for the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. The superstar returned to Inter Miami's lineup last Saturday, coming off the bench in Miami's matchup against Columbus Crew.
Messi entered the game in the 53rd minute for Miami's first substitution of the match, replacing Dániel Pintér. Messi retook the captain's armband from Luis Suárez as he entered the game.
It marked Messi's first game since competing in the World Cup, where Argentina fell to Spain in the tournament's final two weeks ago. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate for both club and country, also rejoined Miami's squad on Saturday as a starter.
Miami and Columbus went on to draw, 2-2. An early goal from Suárez was offset by an own goal from Casemiro, before young defender Noah Allen put Miami back ahead in first-half stoppage time.
But Columbus drew level again in the 84th minute behind a goal from Brais Méndez, who scored off a free kick 20 minutes after subbing in to the game.
