Lionel Messi named MLS Player of the Week after his return

The Argentine star Lionel Messi was recognized this Monday as the Best Player of Matchday 32 of Major League Soccer, in which he returned to action with Inter Miami after a two-month absence due to an injury to his right ankle.

The captain of Las Garzas returned in style in the match that his team played on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union (3-1) in front of his fans at Chase Stadium, where he scored a couple of goals and also provided an assist for Uruguayan Luis Suárez.

This performance by Lionel Messi was the first for the Argentine since July 14 when he played the final of the Copa América USA 2024 with Argentina against Colombia in which he was injured after a strong blow to his right ankle.

This is the fourth award of this type that Lionel Messi has received in the current 2024 MLS season in which the Argentine player has only played 13 matches with Inter Miami due to injury issues. In this period, the ’10’ has already scored a total of 14 goals.

With this recognition for the Inter Miami captain, the team adds its seventh award after those won by Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez for being the best player in matchdays 3, 5 and 29 of the American championship.

The long-awaited return of Lionel Messi is good news for both Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino and Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni, given the double date they will face next month in the South American qualifiers.

Inter Miami is having a great run this season despite the prolonged absence of its star player. The team led by David Beckham is leading the Eastern Conference having already secured its qualification for the playoffs for several days.

The Herons have 19 wins, five draws and four losses for a total of 62 points, 10 more than their closest rival, Cincinnati. This week, Inter Miami will be playing a pair of away games, first against Atlanta United and then against New York City.

Led by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami is seeking to win its first championship in American soccer in just its second season in the MLS. Last season, they managed to lift their first title in history by winning the Leagues Cup.

Continue reading:
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– Comfortable at the top: Even without playing, Los Angeles Galaxy and Inter Miami maintain their position as the leaders of the MLS
– European champion to MLS? Dani Carvajal does not close the door to the possibility of playing in US soccer