Lionel Messi returns as Inter Miami draws 2-2 with Columbus Crew

Outside Nu Stadium, an open-microphone podium invited supporters to process raw devotion and relief, sharing personal accounts of childhood depression lifted by a career built across continents. Thirteen days earlier, that same figure had trudged off the pitch after Argentina played in the World Cup final. Yet on a soggy Saturday night, Inter Miami rushed their returning talisman back into harness alongside fellow Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul, choosing momentum over the full rest period permitted under FIFA rules, only for a debutant's curling strike in the closing minutes to puncture a six-match winning streak in a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew.

The night began under a 40-minute weather delay, but the first-half action quickly accelerated through starkly contrasting moments of brilliance and misfortune. Luis Suarez maintained his stellar form by opening the scoring in the 16th minute, launching a long-range lob over stranded Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte after Yannick Bright forced a turnover. The strike marked Suarez's seventh goal in his last four games. The advantage evaporated in the 34th minute when Casemiro, making his home debut after arriving from Manchester United, slid to cut out a cross and inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. Just before halftime, however, Suarez turned provider, floating a cross that Noah Allen headed home to restore Miami's lead at 2-1.

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Manager Guillermo Hoyos praised the swift return of his exhausted stars, noting according to the Miami Herald that both players chose to report back to training days after international duty.

"I want to thank all the players for the effort they put in,"

Guillermo Hoyos, Inter Miami Coach, via Miami Herald

Hoyos said after the match. I especially want to thank Leo and Rodri for traveling and showing up so soon after the World Cup.

Messi entered the fray in the 53rd minute to a rousing ovation, replacing Daniel Pintér. The 39-year-old forward sought to put the game away, dragging a close-range effort wide in the 56th minute and sending a late stoppage-time chance past the post as Miami pressed for a winner.

Instead, the defensive vulnerabilities that shadowed Miami's night caught up with them in the 84th minute. Casemiro, who had anchored the midfield tempo throughout his full-match appearance, was booked for a foul just outside the area. Up stepped Brais Mendez, making his Columbus debut following a transfer from Real Sociedad, who curled the resulting free-kick off the post and past goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo to seal the 2-2 stalemate.

The draw leaves Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference standings, two points behind Nashville SC. Attention now shifts immediately to a packed Leagues Cup schedule, with Miami opening group-stage play on Wednesday against Atletico San Luis at Nu Stadium—though they must navigate the tournament opener without Suarez, who serves the remainder of a suspension handed down following an incident after the 2025 final.

Squad Rotation and Roster Realities

Inter Miami managed the contest with a severely depleted roster, missing key personnel due to injuries, international suspensions, and medical protocols according to the Miami Herald. Striker German Berterame remained sidelined on concussion protocol after suffering a heavy challenge against Montreal that required him to leave the pitch in an ambulance, while Tadeo Allende continued his recovery following knee surgery. Furthermore, defensive depth was tested as right back Ian Fray and midfielder Telasco Segovia served suspensions for yellow card accumulation, alongside centre backs Maxi Falcon and Gonzalo Lujan, who were unavailable due to ongoing calf strains.

Roster Availability and Standing Impact

Team	Matchday Standing	Notable Absences & Status
Inter Miami CF	2nd in Eastern Conference (38 points)	German Berterame (concussion), Tadeo Allende (knee surgery), Ian Fray & Telasco Segovia (suspended), Maxi Falcon & Gonzalo Lujan (calf strains)
Columbus Crew	11th in Eastern Conference (20 points)	Max Arfsten (transfer pending to Middlesbrough FC)

The shared points leave Miami with 38 points from 18 matches, retaining the second position in the Eastern Conference standings two points behind leaders Nashville SC, who also finished in a 2-2 draw against DC United, according to Gulf News. The schedule now pivots immediately away from regular-season play as Major League Soccer pauses for the regional tournament. The next step involves opening group-stage fixtures in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday against Atletico San Luis at Nu Stadium, where Miami will be forced to compete without Suarez, who must serve the remainder of a suspension stemming from an incident following the 2025 final.