Inter Miami full-back Julian Gressel has called Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez “incredible” after the pair fired the MLS side to a 3-1 comeback win at home to Philadelphia.
On his first Miami appearance for almost four months, Messi struck twice inside five first-half minutes from Suarez’s pass and Jordi Alba’s cross, turning the scoreline around after Mikael Uhre’s second-minute opener.
Fellow Barcelona legend Suarez curled in the third in the 98th minute after Messi had teed the recent Uruguay retiree up just inside the penalty area.
HAD TO BE HIM!! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/GgdoFHFgzu
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
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Lionel Messi ‘incredible’
“He showed how much he means to us and the team,” Gressel said of the Argentina captain. “It’s been a lot of fun seeing these guys train and work every day.
“Playing with them is incredible and makes you smile. When you’re on the field and you see goals like that, when Suarez lays it off to him and he finishes it, those types of moments are awesome to celebrate with them.”
Messi had been out since suffering an ankle injury in Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America 2024 final on July 15.
DOBLETE DEL CAPITÁN 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ZwVv9tILU0
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
Messi goals
Despite his long absence, Messi’s 14 goals mean Suarez, on 17, is one of only three players to have scored more than him in this season’s MLS, with former Belgium international Christian Benteke the leading marksman courtesy of 19 for DC United.
“What he did was probably the most common of all the things that happened,” Miami manager Gerardo Martino said in his assessment of his team’s fifth consecutive MLS win.
“I’m happy that he was able to play for 90 minutes and is feeling fine. It’s very difficult to take off players who create such imbalance [for the opposition].”
Golazo del Pistolero tras asistencia de Messi 💥 pic.twitter.com/5U0lKSykNk
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
MLS: ‘Big goals’ for Miami
Miami are 10 points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference above Cincinnati, who drew 0-0 at home to third-placed Columbus Crew.
“We have big goals to reach together and, hopefully, can celebrate with some trophies at the end,” said Gressel. “It was a slow start that wasn’t really good for us.
“We found our way after five or 10 minutes – we needed a wake-up call, I guess, a little bit. As we found our rhythm and balance a little better, we were much better in the game and created a lot of chances. We were in control and put chances away to go ahead.”
