Javier Mascherano called Lionel Messi “extraordinary” after the MLS top scorer struck a stunning goal and provided an assist for Luis Suarez in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over LA Galaxy on Saturday.
Returning from a leg injury that had kept the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner out of almost three matches, Messi came on at half-time for Telasco Segovia and scored from outside the box to restore Miami’s lead in the 84th minute.
EL MEJOR DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS 🐐😮💨 pic.twitter.com/4LR4I0m1DZ
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 17, 2025
Miami’s captain then produced an exquisite back flick to send Suarez clear inside the penalty area, allowing Uruguay’s all-time top scorer to slot in with a minute remaining.
GOL U RU GUA YO 🩷🖤🇺🇾 @LuisSuarez9 pic.twitter.com/hf85dKU6R0
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 17, 2025
Two more Barcelona legends combined for the opener at the Chase Stadium when defender Sergio Busquets’ incisive through ball set up Jordi Alba’s composed finish.
Inter Miami vs LA Galaxy
Ghana winger Joseph Paintsil replied in style 14 minutes after half-time, surging past two players inside the box on the left before beating goalkeeper Oscar Ustari from a tight angle.
The Herons are seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati with three matches in hand after beating opponents with four fewer points than any other MLS team.
“Every game that we have is a final from now on,” urged Mascherano, who criticized his players’ desire and said they were “outclassed” in their 4-1 thrashing at Orlando City on Sunday, which was their second loss in Messi’s absence.
“I have to generate the habit that every game from now until the end of the regular season is life or death.
“We have to win; if we must lose, the adversary has to really work for it, not be given it on a silver platter.”
Lionel Messi injury: Is the Miami magician fit?
Messi did not appear to be moving entirely freely after another outstanding strike that took the 38-year-old to 19 goals this season, one ahead of Nashville’s Sam Surridge.
“What you saw, I saw,” acknowledged Mascherano. “Clearly, he wasn’t 100% comfortable. But he became looser and looser.
“He’s two weeks post-injury. He had something minor; the three training sessions that we had with him were good.
¡Pegó en el palo! 😲
Luis Suárez 🇺🇾 armó la jugada y, luego de recibir un centro, por poco anota el primero del partido a favor de @InterMiamiCF. pic.twitter.com/O0cz6EV8Hw
— MLS Español (@MLSes) August 16, 2025
“The important thing is that he finished the match. I saw him improve through the minutes. He felt and looked better.
“It’s about how he’s feeling [on Sunday], how he wakes up. He wants to play every single game. He wanted to play in Orlando.
“It was impossible, but it’s like this. You have to understand why Leo is Leo; because [he] always wants to be on the pitch. He’s happy there.”
Inter Miami fixtures: Messi ‘good feeling’
Miami host Liga MX club Tigres in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday (20:00 ET / 17:00 PT / 01:00 BST on Thursday) then visit DC United in the MLS on Saturday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 BST on Sunday).
“Sometimes we try to explain to him, [we’re] trying to go slowly,” Mascherano said of managing Messi’s fitness. “When he feels good, he knows himself like no-one [else].
“We tried to give him today some minutes to start to find a good feeling for the week, for Wednesday, for the next games.”
How to watch Inter Miami: Live stream, TV channel
Live coverage of Inter Miami matches is available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
In the US, a subscription costs $14.99 a month or $49 for the rest of the season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $39 for the season.
Inter Miami vs LA Galaxy stats
- The two previous editions of the fixture had resulted in a win for LA Galaxy and a draw
- The Galaxy’s total of 55 goals conceded this season is the worst in the MLS, three behind DC United
- Their total of three wins is also the lowest in the league
- Messi has 19 goals and 10 assists in the 2025 MLS, including 14 goals and seven assists in nine league games since Miami’s defeat to Orlando
- Suarez scored his first goal in eight MLS games since netting against Columbus on June 1
- The 38-year-old’s last six goals in the MLS and Leagues Cup have been at home
- Miami have 53 MLS goals this season, leading the way with Orlando
