Messi Returns to American Fields After 2026 World Cup

Argentine star Lionel Messi returned to Major League Soccer (MLS) action on Saturday, following his participation in the 2026 World Cup finals, coming on as a substitute in the second half as his team, Inter Miami, drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew.

Two weeks after Argentina’s loss to Spain in the World Cup final, hosted in North America, Messi reappeared on the pitch in the 53rd minute, greeted by a raucous crowd at Miami’s “No Stadium.” However, he failed to convert his return into a goal, managing only two shots that missed the target.

The match saw Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez shine, opening the scoring for Inter Miami in the 16th minute, netting his seventh goal in his last four matches, before Columbus equalized through a Brazilian own goal by Casemiro in the 34th minute.

As the first half concluded, Suárez assisted his Greek teammate Noah Allen, who gave Miami the lead with a header. But Spanish newcomer Brais Méndez, recently transferred from Real Sociedad, snatched an equalizer for Columbus with a brilliant free-kick in the 84th minute.

This draw halted Inter Miami’s six-match winning streak, but kept the team in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, which also drew 2-2 with D.C. United. In the Western Conference, balance remained between Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps after they played out a 1-1 draw at BC Place.

South Korean star Son Heung-min continued his impressive form post-World Cup, raising his tally to four goals in four matches, as he put Los Angeles ahead in the 37th minute before German veteran Thomas Müller equalized from a penalty kick in the 76th minute.

Son, the former Tottenham star, had faced widespread criticism after South Korea’s failure to reach the knockout stages, but he quickly regained his shine and was named the MLS All-Star Game’s best player on Wednesday.