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Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return to Inter Miami during the Heron’s clash against the Colorado Rapids.
The Argentine had been called up to the Inter Miami bench for Saturday night’s match after an absence of almost a month due to injury.
But fans didn’t have to wait long to see the icon grace the pitch once again when he was replaced by Lawson Sunderland at the start of the second half.
Messi had not played since suffering a hamstring injury on March 13 against Nashville SC in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match.
He missed three league games while sidelined and also missed the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal against Monterrey on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return with Inter Miami against Colorado Rapids
Messi and Luis Suarez seemed in good spirits as they prepared for the Miami match.
Messi made his first appearance for the Herons since March 13 against Nashville
Messi was joined on the bench by Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Messi’s former teammates and friends at Barça, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, were also named on the bench ahead of the game against Colorado.
Winger Robert Taylor has been ruled out entirely with a hamstring injury.
Suárez, in particular, has seen his minutes managed by Miami coach Tata Martino, as he has now started on the bench in three of the team’s eight league games and has played 90 minutes only twice.
Messi and Suarez were photographed smiling as they approached Miami’s Chase Stadium on Saturday night.
Including the 2-1 loss to Monterrey earlier this week, the Herons have failed to win their last three games in all competitions.
However, Miami enters its matchup against Colorado in second place in the Eastern Conference.
The Herons have 11 points (three wins, two draws and two losses) in seven games.