Inter Miami superstar RETURNS for MLS match against FC Cincinnati as he comes off the bench after recovering from injury

• Messi has missed Miami’s last four games in all competitions with a muscle injury
• But he is back on the roster for what is a must-win MLS fixture against Cincinnati
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

Lionel Messi came off the bench for Inter Miami in their crucial MLS showdown with FC Cincinnati after finally recovering from a muscle injury.

But unfortunately for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, his long-awaited return ended in disappointment as he slumped to his first defeat as a Miami player – ending their MLS playoff hopes in the process. 

Messi, who had scored 11 goals in 12 appearances heading into the game, missed Miami’s last four matches in all competitions – including their loss to Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup Final.

He had not played since September 20, when he left his side’s 4-0 victory over Toronto early with muscle discomfort.

However, Argentina’s World Cup winning captain returned at the perfect moment for Miami as their playoff hopes hung in the balance.

With a win needed to keep themselves in the race, Inter head coach Tata Martino opted for his star man from the bench in the 54th minute of the game with the score locked at 0-0. 

He received a standing ovation from the crowd as he finally made his way back onto the field, raising optimism at DRV PNK Stadium of a goal that would resurrect their bid to make the playoffs.

Yet 25 minutes later, it turned out to be another Argentine – Cincinatti’s Alvaro Barreal – who popped up with the game-winning goal.

Barreal’s late strike condemned Messi to his first defeat as a Miami player, while also ending any hopes Miami had of a late dash to this season’s MLS playoffs.

It means Messi will now be out of action at club level until February of next year unless he secures a short-term loan elsewhere.

The Barcelona legend has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona of late, rumors which are only likely to gather more pace in the wake of Miami’s defeat.

But Martino played down talk of a return to Catalonia for his captain, joking at his post-match press conference: ‘Is he going for fun? Maybe he’s going to visit Barcelona. 

‘Other than that, I don’t know anything else about it.’

Fans have been left disappointed that Messi will play no part in the upcoming MLS playoffs.

‘Sad for Messi, but it was always going to be a near impossible task to make the playoffs after the start Inter Miami had. 2024 MLS Cup winners, though, put it in the books,’ said an Inter Miami fan 

‘MLS is so bad…like [Red Bull New York] has a chance to make the playoffs and Messi doesn’t,’ tweeted another user. 

‘Sad to see that Messi’s return was not enough to take Inter Miami to the playoffs,’ posted a different individual.

‘Everyone hates seeing the GOAT sad, wish he could have made it and gone far,’ said a fan of the Argentine. ‘So much fun to watch.’