The star Argentine winger and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not played for Inter Miami since June 1 due to national team commitments and a right ankle injury suffered in the 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.
“A little tired from the heat and humidity in Miami but I was really looking forward to coming back after so much time away,” Messi said in Spanish on the Apple TV broadcast after the match. “I started training with the group and I started to feel better.”
Messi, who returned to training three weeks ago, showed no signs of wear or side effects from the injury. He scored twice in a four-minute span midway through the first half to cancel out an early Philadelphia goal.
“What he did was more typical than other things that happened tonight,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said. “I’m happy he finished the game and completed the 90 minutes. It felt good.”
Without Messi, Miami went 8-2 and secured a spot in the MLS playoffs. Miami (19-4-5) also took the lead in the Supporters Shield standings with 62 points.
“It’s good to see his injury is back to normal and he’s as effective as ever,” Inter Miami midfielder Julian Gressel said.
Luis Suarez provided an assist and secured Miami’s victory with a goal off a Messi assist in second-half stoppage time. It was Suarez’s 17th goal of the season.
Messi’s opener in the 26th minute levelled the score at 1-1. Suarez sent a short pass close to the penalty area, where Messi collected it, beat Union defender Kai Wagner inside the box and converted a shot that landed inside the left post.
Four minutes later, Messi received a cross inside the box and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a 15-yard shot.
Suarez had a goal disallowed in the 44th minute after the video referee determined an offside violation.
“As the game progressed, we ran the risk of not controlling the ball,” Martino said. “From the last 30 minutes of the first half onwards, we managed to control the ball better.”
Messi’s injured ankle absorbed a kick from Philadelphia midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the 67th minute as the two battled for a loose ball. Messi fell to the ground and put his ankle down, but quickly got up and continued playing. Match referee Sergii Boiko showed yellow cards to Sullivan and Martino, who called for a more severe infraction against Sullivan.
Seeking an equalizer, Philadelphia (7-12-9) repeatedly pressed throughout the second half before Messi centered a pass to Suarez who converted from 18 yards.
Before his absence, Messi, 37, had scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 12 league games this season.
Fans had barely settled in when Union striker Mikael Uhre stunned the home crowd with a goal just two minutes into the match.
Messi had his first chance at goal in the seventh minute with a free kick near the half circle that was cleared by a wall of Philadelphia defenders.
For Inter Miami, the win came at a price. Defender David Martinez left the field early in the first half with a groin injury and his replacement Noah Allen was also taken off after receiving what Martino described as a blow to the head.
“We have to take it day by day and see how they recover and how they feel,” Martino said.
Both clubs continue their league games on the road on Wednesday. Inter Miami will visit Atlanta on Tuesday, while the Union will visit New York City FC on Tuesday.
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