📸 Photo via Luis Suarez on X
Messi delivers a goal and assist off the bench, but sparks injury concerns after leaving for tests as Inter Miami edge past LA Galaxy.
Inter Miami secured a big win over LA Galaxy, but all eyes were on Lionel Messi — who once again came off the bench to change the game, scoring and assisting in just 45 minutes, before leaving fans concerned as he headed straight to the locker room post-match.
Mascherano Plays It Safe with Messi and De Paul
Javier Mascherano made a bold call before kickoff, keeping both Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul on the bench with a crucial Leagues Cup clash against Tigres looming.
Despite that, Inter Miami started strongly. Sergio Busquets delivered a sublime pass to Jordi Alba, who calmly slotted home to give Miami a first-half lead.
There was also drama when Luis Suárez’s cheeky backheel set up Segovia, only for the goal to be ruled out after a controversial offside call. Watch Video
Messi and De Paul Enter the Second Half
At halftime, with Miami leading 1–0, Messi and De Paul were introduced, instantly lifting the energy in the stadium. The buzz was electric — but the atmosphere quickly shifted when LA Galaxy’s Joseph Paintsil produced a brilliant solo effort to equalize, stunning the crowd and swinging momentum back to the visitors.
It didn’t take long for Messi to stamp his authority — scoring once and setting up another in just 45 minutes of play, once again proving why he’s the ultimate game-changer off the bench. This cameo adds yet another chapter to Messi’s growing reputation as the ultimate super sub for Inter Miami. The numbers speak for themselves:
9 games off the bench
9 goals, 4 assists
Direct G/A every 26 minutes (344 mins total)
4 times directly rescuing the team
It’s a record that cements his status as the game-changer off the bench — a weapon no defense can prepare for.
Post-Match Concern: Messi Heads to the Locker Room
While Messi’s performance earned him Man of the Match honors, there was a worrying moment at full time when he went straight down the tunnel, looking uncomfortable.
Mascherano addressed the situation after the game:
“I haven’t seen him [Messi] yet. Tomorrow we’ll do tests to see what happened. He wanted to play against Orlando — he loves to play and knows his body. We always talk to him about taking it easy and recovering well.”
What’s Next for Inter Miami
With Messi’s fitness now under watch, Mascherano’s cautious approach looks justified. Inter Miami fans will be waiting anxiously for updates ahead of the Leagues Cup showdown against Tigres — a fixture that could define their season.
