Lionel Messi Still Playing In Fear After Returning From Injury

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi admitted to playing with fear when he returned from injury. Even so, he scored two goals in Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Orlando City in the semifinals of the MLS League Cup (Leagues Cup), Thursday, August 28, 2025 WIB.

Messi scored a penalty in the 77th minute at Chase Stadium and then added another goal in the 88th minute -- after working with Jordi Alba -- as Inter Miami bounced back from a goal to secure a place in the final.

"I want to be here. When I came back against (LA) Galaxy (on August 17, 2025), I felt a little uncomfortable, I didn't feel comfortable, but I wanted to play."

"It's very important to be here because it's a tough opponent. They have beaten us in the two games we played against them this year."

"In the first half I played with a little fear, but after that I felt a little (more) free," Messi said after the match.

Orlando beat Inter Miami 4-1 when the two teams last met on August 11, 2025 without Messi.

The Argentine has struggled with a muscle injury to his right leg this month and returned to play against LA Galaxy, before rejoining the team on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

Inter Miami will now face Seattle Sounders in the MLS Leagues Cup final on Monday, September 1, 2025, morning WIB. Sounders to the top party after they beat LA Galaxy 2-0 in the semifinals.

This will be Inter Miami's second appearance in the final in two years, after they won the tournament in 2023. While in the 2024 edition, they were eliminated in the round of 16.