Back in action following a 13-day layoff, the legendary No. 10 wasted no time in registering his presence. Substituted in the second half, Lionel Messi scored the game-winning goal within minutes as Inter Miami came out on top 2-1 against the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium on Saturday evening.
WATCH: Lionel Messi Dedicate His Goal To Novak Djokovic
Lionel Messi dedicates his Goal to Djokovic by celebrating like Djokovic’s forehand shot! 😍
pic.twitter.com/SPZeXeDGFr---Advertisement---— MC (@CrewsMat10) March 30, 2025
One thing that was extremely special about Messi’s goal was that he dedicated it to Tennis legend Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic Reacts To Messi’s Beautiful Gesture
🚨Lionel Messi dedicated his goal celebration to Novak Djokovic, and Djokovic acknowledged it on his IG story! 🤩🔥 pic.twitter.com/haP1xwqFz5
---Advertisement---— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) March 30, 2025
Djokovic immediately took to his Instagram and reacted emojis and posted Messi’s goal celebratory video on his story.
Messi’s Return To Inter Miami
Having been unavailable for Argentina’s FIFA March international matches through injury, Messi began from the bench but came into the encounter in the 55th minute with Miami already leading 1-0, thanks to the first-half goal by Robert Taylor. Two minutes later, he combined with former Barcelona strike partner Luis Suárez and scored from a tight angle, doubling the lead for Miami.
While Dániel Gazdag was able to score a consolation goal for Philadelphia, Miami held on to take the victory and claim the lead in the Eastern Conference with a 4W-0L-1D mark. Messi returned in a stint managed by the coaches as Miami readies to face LAFC in a pivotal CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday. Despite starting on the bench, the Argentine wasted no time making an impact, scoring on his very first opportunity, an attack that began with Luis Suárez’s defensive work deep in Miami’s half.
