Messi Makes Comeback for Inter Miami in Draw Against Columbus Crew
WHO:
Al Jazeera - Lionel Messi, Argentinian star and captain of Inter Miami.
AOL.com - Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate for both club and country.
Free Malaysia Today - Luis Suarez, Uruguayan striker for Inter Miami.
Free Malaysia Today - Brais Mendez, midfielder making his debut for Columbus Crew after arriving from Real Sociedad.
The Daily Star - Casemiro, former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder playing for Inter Miami.
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - Messi's return marked his first appearance since the FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain in New Jersey, United States.
Al Jazeera - The match ended Miami's six-match winning streak.
Al Jazeera - Brais Mendez's equalizer for Columbus Crew was scored from a free kick in the 84th minute, marking his first goal for the team.
Al Jazeera - The draw kept Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.
Al Jazeera - Messi had several good scoring chances in the closing stages of the match but could not mark his return with a goal.
Gulf News - Messi was unable to make an immediate impact on the scoresheet, although he went close twice in the second half, with his best chance coming deep into stoppage time, but his effort drifted wide.
The Daily Star - Messi came close on two occasions in the second half, sending both efforts wide, including a late opportunity in stoppage time.
The Daily Star - Luis Suarez scored Miami's first goal in the 16th minute and assisted Noah Allen's goal.
Free Malaysia Today - Casemiro scored an own goal in the 34th minute, leveling the match at 1-1.
Free Malaysia Today - Brais Mendez equalized for Columbus Crew with a free kick in the 84th minute.
The Daily Star - The draw left Inter Miami with 38 points from 18 matches, missing the chance to pull level with Nashville SC at the top of the MLS standings.
Free Malaysia Today - The draw kept Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.
Al Jazeera - Messi's return marked his first appearance since the FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain.
AOL.com - Messi's entry in the 53rd minute was Miami's first substitution of the match.
Free Malaysia Today - Brais Mendez's equalizer for Columbus Crew was scored from a free kick in the 84th minute, marking his first goal for the team.
The Daily Star - Luis Suarez's opening goal was his 10th goal of the season.
The Daily Star - Noah Allen's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a video assistant referee review, marking his first goal of the season.
Free Malaysia Today - The draw left Inter Miami with 38 points from 18 matches, missing the chance to pull level with Nashville SC at the top of the MLS standings.
Free Malaysia Today - The draw kept Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.
Al Jazeera - Messi had several good scoring chances in the closing stages of the match but could not mark his return with a goal.
Gulf News - Messi was unable to make an immediate impact on the scoresheet, although he went close twice in the second half, with his best chance coming deep into stoppage time, but his effort drifted wide.
The Daily Star - Messi came close on two occasions in the second half, sending both efforts wide, including a late opportunity in stoppage time.
AOL.com - Messi retook the captain's armband from Luis Suárez upon entering the game.
The Daily Star - Luis Suarez scored his 10th goal of the season in the match.
The Daily Star - Noah Allen's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a video assistant referee review, marking his first goal of the season.
Free Malaysia Today - Brais Mendez's equalizer for Columbus Crew was his first goal for the team.
Al Jazeera - Luis Suarez scored his seventh goal in his last four games during the match.
The Daily Star - Noah Allen's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a video assistant referee review.
The Daily Star - Inter Miami has 38 points from 18 matches after the draw, missing the chance to pull level with Nashville SC at the top of the MLS standings.
Free Malaysia Today - The draw kept Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.
Al Jazeera - Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew.
AOL.com - Messi came off the bench in the 53rd minute, replacing Dániel Pintér.
Free Malaysia Today - Miami's six-match winning streak ended with the draw.
The Daily Star - Luis Suarez scored Miami's first goal in the 16th minute and assisted Noah Allen's goal.
Free Malaysia Today - Casemiro scored an own goal in the 34th minute, leveling the match at 1-1.
Free Malaysia Today - Brais Mendez equalized for Columbus Crew with a free kick in the 84th minute.
WHERE:
Al Jazeera - The match took place at Nu Stadium in Miami.
AOL.com - The game was part of Major League Soccer (MLS).
WHEN:
AOL.com - Messi's return to the pitch was after two weeks following Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
AOL.com - The match started 40 minutes late due to inclement weather.
bolavip.com - The match occurred on August 1, 2026.
WHY:
AOL.com - Messi and De Paul missed Miami's two games against the Chicago Fire and CF Montréal in the week after the Final.
AOL.com - Messi and De Paul opted to skip the MLS All-Star game despite both players being named to the squad.
AOL.com - Messi returned to the lineup after leading Argentina to its second-straight World Cup Final appearance.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - The match started 40 minutes late due to inclement weather in Miami.
The Daily Star - The match started 40 minutes late due to inclement weather conditions.
The Daily Star - Suarez's opening goal came from a high, looping effort after spotting Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte off his line.
The Daily Star - Suarez's opening goal came from a high, looping effort after spotting Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte off his line.
The Daily Star - The match started 40 minutes late due to inclement weather conditions.
The Daily Star - The match was delayed due to weather conditions, leading to a late kickoff.
In a highly anticipated match, Messi made his return to the field for Inter Miami, marking his first appearance since the FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina lost to Spain. The game ended in a draw, with Brais Mendez scoring his first goal for Columbus Crew from a free kick in the 84th minute, which also halted Miami's six-match winning streak. Despite the setback, Inter Miami remains in second place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Nashville, who also played to a 2-2 draw against DC United.