Lionel Messi vs Columbus Crew | Messi Is Back! 🐐 | 01/08/2026

It's Leo Messi. We'll let you know the participation they will both have tonight. And they show Leo Messi on the big screen and the crowd reacts. Saw Messi, Hugo Picard, who idolizes him. He's got to be very excited for him. And we know he's not the only one. Two-time MLS MVP, Golden Boot winner as well. And Leo Messi, very excited to play with him. We've talked so much about Brazil and Argentinian relations. Messi back in training Wednesday. Spent the last week in his hometown, Rosario. Messi, in his case, a week down in his hometown. Spent it with family and right back up. Ten days after the end of a very disappointing World Cup loss. Leo Messi's off the bench. Preparing to come in here in the 52nd minute. Messi gets to show off the third kick. Probably sell a bunch in the process. De Paul takes it, Messi gets his first touch. Right into the attacking third, into the 18. Messi! Side netted. Is this guy for real? About the sound in this building. Oh, cutback ball, finds the left foot, he gets his head up and... And receives. Bright, Suarez, Messi. Beautiful. So some significant changes here for Laurent Courtois, De Paul. Messi meets business. All the way through. They look so different. They look so dangerous the moment Leo Messi hit terra firma in New Stadium. Backdoor, Suarez. Still got it, up and over for Messi! Just wide. Just about three minutes on the field, we've already seen how quickly he can change a game. Luis Suarez, deft little touch back across. Gets away from Zawadzki, lifts it up for Leo Messi. And in that moment, he likes to bring it. Took the second touch, didn't have time for it. Messi. Suarez, he's getting his running in. But he looks so fresh. But well on their way to seventh straight. Messi, little delicate touch. Wearing the number 10, not named Diego Rossi. A little rudderless here is turnover of possession. Messi looks to calm things, hits the ball on the money. He's really connected. It's just so fascinating to watch him interpret the space. Kasimirov gets away from that little mule kick again. Messi. Silvetti, one-on-one with Farsi. That is excellent defending. And Silvetti with two goals, three assists in the 2025 postseason. Big reason they were able to run the gauntlet. Almost offside. In it comes from Chiare, and now the flag does come up. Torrey Pensel will wave him on. Messi, Silvetti, look out. Diagonal ball across Suarez. Silvetti makes his run all the way through. Giacone coming in. Good cross, Rios-Novo. Gotta feel good for Rocco Rios-Novo. He had that errrr against the Chicago Fire, which kind of went viral. Guillermo Hoyos kept him as the number one. He got the clean sheet against Montreal. And now a big part of perhaps another three points for Inter. Messi, 20 minutes to go at New Stadium. Suarez. Was able to secure Dane Sinclair. Mikael. Got the attention of all over the league. Ayala, one of those players. Walmart Saturday Showdown. Orlando City. And FC Cincinnati. Messi. Doesn't get a lot of touches, but he makes the most of the ones he does. Silvetti. Over for Suarez. De Paul. Messi. Gonna redirect. Chance here. Chiare is on an island. He evades. We'll see what League's Cup brings. They're integrating the DP. And as I say, here's Messi. Corner kick. Columbus. They have a long way to go. 16 games still after this one to dig themselves out of 11th place. Ruiz. All the way through. It's at the doorstep! And it's wide! Messi was there. And as he lifts it up and over the stranded Patrick Schulte. Planbeck. Back to Messi. Minute 4 or 5. Messi to the right peg. Off the outside of the boot. Travella. Planbeck will chase. Has Messi to combine with. Good first touch. Messi! Patrick Schulte. Only got a piece of it. He withdrew the arm, but he made sure there was no gap between his hand and that crossbar. Yeah, just couldn't keep it down. Planbeck does a great job outside the right foot. Takes a touch. Draws in the defender. Messi's first touch. Away. Gets away from Mendez. They can't keep it on frame. With less preferred right foot. You can see the idea immediately. But not too much time left on the clock. Big time saves. We're into the sixth minute. Will Torrey Pencil let it continue? One last go for Inter-Miami. Messi on the money. Suarez. A little shake and bake on the night of the triumphant return of Inter-Miami's number 10. It is Columbus's number 10 that rescues the day.