Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is back among the goals, and this time the number attached to his latest strike tells two stories.
The Argentine scored his 70th MLS goal for Inter Miami in their 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, taking his astonishing career tally to 922 goals.
It was a big moment for Messi, but perhaps an even bigger one given what he has been through in recent weeks.
The 39-year-old returned to the pitch after stepping away following the death of his father, Jorge Messi. His first games back had brought little relief, with Inter Miami losing heavily to Nashville and Messi missing a penalty in that defeat.
Against Philadelphia, he looked much more like himself.
Messi found the net in the first half to put Inter Miami ahead, producing the kind of calm finish that has become almost routine throughout his career. Philadelphia later fought back to earn a draw, but Messi had already left his mark on the game.
And there was plenty to celebrate beyond the result.
The goal took him to 70 in MLS since his move to the United States and, more significantly, to 922 goals across his senior career.
That puts the much-discussed 1,000-goal mark another 78 goals away.
For a player who has spent almost two decades rewriting football’s scoring records, the prospect of reaching four figures is becoming harder to ignore, even at this stage of his career.
But Wednesday’s goal was not simply about another number.
Inter Miami had lost three straight games and needed a response. Messi provided one, helping the side avoid another defeat and giving them something positive to take from a difficult spell.
For Messi himself, there was an added layer.
He has had to deal with the loss of a man who was not only his father but also an important figure in the career that took him from Rosario to the very top of world football.
So, after a difficult few weeks, Messi returned to the scoresheet. 70 MLS goals. 922 in his career.
And, for Inter Miami, perhaps the biggest takeaway was simpler: their captain is smiling and scoring again.
