Lionel Messi returns from Argentina farewell as Inter Miami face DC United

What the report says

Lionel Messi is back with Inter Miami after what Al Jazeera described as his final appearance for Argentina earlier in the week. The piece says Miami will host DC United in Major League Soccer on Saturday, with Messi expected to help end the club’s five-match winless run. The match comes as Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference, while DC United remain outside the playoff places and need points to stay in contention.

Al Jazeera reported that Miami have struggled in league play despite winning the Campeones Cup on September 16 in the first match under new coach Kily Gonzalez. Since then, the team has drawn once and lost once in MLS, and has won only one of its past 10 league games. Messi has still been a major contributor this season, with 21 goals and 13 assists, and is chasing a third straight MLS MVP award.

DC United are also looking to reverse recent form, entering the matchup on a three-game winless stretch and without a league win since September 9. The teams’ earlier meeting this season ended in a 2-1 Miami win. In the article, Gonzalez praised Messi’s influence on teammates and the standard he sets in training and competition.

The story also places Messi’s club return in the context of his international farewell. Al Jazeera said the 39-year-old played his last match for Argentina on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, finishing a 21-year national-team career as the country’s most-capped player and record scorer.