Messi Scores Goals When He Returns To Perform For Inter Miami, Takes To Champions Cup Concaf Quarter-finals

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi scored in action again for Inter Miami in a 2-0 win over the Cavalier FC in Jamaica on Friday, March 14, 2025, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Messi reinforced a Miami attack on the bench in the second half to help push the team to a 4-0 aggregate win in the last 16.

He returned to the pitch for the first time since playing against Sporting Kansas City on February 25, 2025.

Messi missed three games for Inter Miami. Head coach Javier Mascherano stressed that the star striker needs to be rested due to load management, in a bid to avoid injuries in the future.

His entry from the bench to replace Luis Suarez in the 53rd minute sparked loud cheers from a large crowd at Independence Park, Kingston, when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made his first appearance in Jamaica.

He immediately had an impact on the Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The captain marked his return with a goal a few seconds before the final whistle sounded.

He threw the ball into the opposite corner after taking advantage of a pass from an 18-year-old local Inter Miami player, Santiago Morales, who made his MLS debut earlier this season.

Earlier, while speaking to the media on Thursday, March 13, 2025, Mascherano confirmed that Messi would join the team in Jamaica, but did not reveal whether the number 10 player would perform or not.

"We know that Leo hasn't played in the last three or four games. Of course we wanted him to play, but we needed to know and find a moment to take him down."

"I think it's good because he feels really good on the pitch. He can score goals. People in Jamaica can see him. An amazing night for everyone," Mascherano said after the game.

Messi's first visit to the Caribbean to play in an official match is highly anticipated. He and his colleagues at Inter Miami were welcomed by Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports of Jamaica, upon arrival at the airport.

The Cavalier FC usually plays in a 3,000-seater stadium, but moves the Concacaf Champions Cup match to the country's national stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000.

Inter Miami entered the game with a 2-0 lead over first leg at home last week, thanks to goals from Tadeo Allende and Suarez.

Inter Miami then quickly widened the lead in the first half of the second leg on penalties for a foul on Allende in the box.

Suarez stepped forward to the penalty spot and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to open the scoring.

Inter Miami will now prepare for the LAFC in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, after the MLS Western Region team beat Columbus Crew in the round of 16.