Messi Magic is back: Leo scores, sparks comeback in Inter Miami return from injury
Miami tied Colorado in MLS play, and now prepare for Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
If there was every any doubt that Lionel Messi makes all the difference on any team, Saturday night was yet another example of it.
After dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that kept him out of a crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals match against Monterrey mid-week, Messi returned against the Colorado Rapids and delivered another incredible performance.
The 36-year-old actually started the game on the bench, with the Inter Miami training staff continuing to take precautions in his recovery. But with Miami down 0-1 at the half, Tata Martino called Messi's number.
Only 12 minutes into his stint, Messi tied the game with a signature left-footed strike from inside the box.
Just two minutes after, Messi started up a counter-attack that led to Leo Afonso's first goal with the club, off the back of an assist from David Ruiz.
Miami couldn't hold on to the lead, though, with Colorado tying the game back up at 2-2 late with a well-worked goal.
Inter have now dropped points in their last three games in MLS league play, but their eyes are squarely on Monterrey for the second leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals.
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