Lionel Messi scores first goal for Inter Miami since father’s death

Lionel Messi scored his first goal since his father's death, pointing to the sky in tribute, but Inter Miami had to settle for a 2-2 Major League Soccer (MLS) draw on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Union.

Key points

• The hosts secured a point thanks to goals from Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute and Neil Pierre in the 58th.
• Messi, 39, moved into second place on the league's scoring chart with 13 goals, three behind Croatian Petar Musa.
• The Argentine superstar offered Miami a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute with a trademark curling left-footed shot into the far corner.
• Messi was instrumental in Miami's first goal just five minutes earlier as he picked up a run down the left flank from Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
• Miami have now gone four matches without a victory and are seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.

For context, the Argentine superstar offered Miami a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute with a trademark curling left-footed shot into the far corner.

After a restrained celebration with teammates, in which he allowed himself a brief smile, the Miami captain pointed his hands towards the sky over Philadelphia. Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent, died on August 8, 2026, at age 68.

Messi was instrumental in Miami's first goal just five minutes earlier as he picked up a run down the left flank from Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez. This person headed the ball throughout for a close-range finish by young American Daniel Pinter.

Meanwhile, the hosts secured a point thanks to goals from Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute and Neil Pierre in the 58th.

"We came to win but we couldn't, " remarked Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos. "We're not happy with the draw because we don't like it, but now we need to try to rest and think about the next game, which is in less than 72 hours, " he continued, referring to Saturday's gathering with Toronto FC.

Messi, 39, moved into second place on the league's scoring chart with 13 goals, three behind Croatian Petar Musa. This person scored two for Dallas in a 4-3 victory at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Miami's talisman had failed to find the net in the two matches played since he returned from Argentina after the death of his father.

In those two games, Miami lost 3-2 to Mexican side Leon. It eliminated them from the Leagues Cup, before enduring a 4-1 MLS defeat to Nashville in which Messi missed a penalty.

Miami have now gone four matches without a victory and are seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville. This person beat New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Wednesday.

Taken together, the developments around lionel Messi scores first goal for Inter Miami since father's death point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.