Messi scores emotional first goal since father’s death

Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father but Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer on Wednesday (August 19).

Messi put Miami ahead in the 26th minute with a trademark curling left-footed strike into the far corner. The Argentine briefly smiled during a subdued celebration with his teammates before pointing toward the sky in his familiar tribute.

The goal came just five minutes after Messi helped create Miami’s opener. He collected Luis Suarez’s run down the left and delivered the ball across for young American Daniel Pinter to finish from close range.

Philadelphia had taken the lead through Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute before Messi turned the game around for Miami. Neil Pierre restored parity in the 58th minute to earn the hosts a point.

The goal moved 39-year-old Messi into second place in the MLS scoring standings with 13 goals, three behind leader Peter Musa of FC Dallas, who scored twice in his side’s 4-3 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

It was Messi’s first goal since returning from Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8. He had gone scoreless in Miami’s previous two matches, including a 3-2 defeat by Mexican club Leon in the Leagues Cup and a 4-1 MLS loss to Nashville, in which he missed a penalty.

The draw extended Miami’s winless run to four matches. They remain seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, leaving the club with further ground to make up in the race for the top spot.