The Argentine captain struck the way he often does, weaving through tight spaces, getting around a defender and launching a left-footed blast from distance to the bottom left corner as Chase Stadium erupted and the opposing goalkeeper Novak Micovic stood helpless. It was Messi’s 19th goal in 19 games, as he leads the MLS Golden Boot race.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami 3–1 LA Galaxy: Player Ratings Messi Lifts Herons in Return.

Lionel Messi made a triumphant return from injury, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the LA Galaxy. Messi, who missed two games with a hamstring injury, came on in the second half on