Lionel Messi starts on Inter Miami bench in league match
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 2, 2026, 9:19 AM
Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Lionel Messi was included in Inter Miami's squad for their match on Saturday, marking his first appearance since Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final last month. His status as a substitute comes amid significant anticipation from fans and analysts alike. The match is set to begin later today.
- •Messi is on the bench for Miami's league match.
- •This is his first match since the World Cup final.
- •Inter Miami aims to improve their league standing.
- 9:19 AMYahoo Sports — Messi returns for Inter Miami after World Cup
- 3:51 AMYahoo Sports — Messi returns as Inter Miami draw 2-2 against Columbus Crew
- 1:38 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi subs in for Inter Miami in first MLS game since World Cup
- 12:05 AMESPN Soccer — Messi starts on Miami bench following World Cup
"Lionel Messi returned to Major League Soccer action after World Cup duty on Saturday, coming on in the second half as his Inter Miami side drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew.Suarez provided the assist for Noah Allen to head Miami into a 2-1 half-time lead But midfielder Brais Mendez, making his Columbus debut after arriving from Real Sociedad in Spain, curled in a second equalizer from an 84th-minute free-kick.
"Lionel Messi marks his return to action by coming on as a substitute for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew on Saturday as team-mate Casemiro scores an own goal.
"Messi entered Saturday's game against Columbus in the 53rd minute, returning to MLS action 2 weeks after Argentina fell to Spain in the tournament's final.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 2, 2026, 9:19 AMMessi returns for Inter Miami after World Cup
Lionel Messi marks his return to action by coming on as a substitute for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew on Saturday as team-mate Casemiro scores an own goal.
- Yahoo SportsAug 2, 2026, 3:51 AMMessi returns as Inter Miami draw 2-2 against Columbus Crew
Lionel Messi returned to Major League Soccer action after World Cup duty on Saturday, coming on in the second half as his Inter Miami side drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew.Suarez provided the assist for Noah Allen to head Miami into a 2-1 half-time lead But midfielder Brais Mendez, making his Columbus debut after arriving from Real Sociedad in Spain, curled in a second equalizer from an 84th-minute free-kick.
- Yahoo SportsAug 2, 2026, 1:38 AMLionel Messi subs in for Inter Miami in first MLS game since World Cup
Messi entered Saturday's game against Columbus in the 53rd minute, returning to MLS action 2 weeks after Argentina fell to Spain in the tournament's final.
- ESPN SoccerAug 2, 2026, 12:05 AMMessi starts on Miami bench following World Cup
Lionel Messi was named in Inter Miami's squad on Saturday for the first time since tasting defeat with Argentina in the World Cup final last month.
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