Messi exits early, Inter Miami beats Philly 6-4 after MLS-record first half frenzy
Inter Miami captain and Argentine star Lionel Messi appeared to grab the back of his left leg and was subbed off before Sunday’s wild 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union had ended, something he never does, sparking speculation that he felt a twinge of pain and didn’t want to take any chances with the World Cup kicking off in two weeks.
All the Messi fans at Nu Stadium, and Argentina fans around the world, surely took note of Messi’s early exit as the defending World Cup champions begin defense of their title on June 16. The hope was that the 38-year-old icon would remain a key player for the squad.
He came out in the 73rd minute and went straight to the locker room with Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union tied 4-4 after combining for an MLS-record eight first half goals. Mateo Silvetti replaced him. Messi’s close friend and Uruguayan legend Luis Suarez, living up to his nickname “El Pistolero” (The Gunslinger), then scored his third goal of the night at the 81-minute mark to push Miami ahead 5-4.
The 39-year-old Suarez completed the hat trick with a left-footed shot from close range with an assist from German Berterame, who got two goals of his own in the first half.
Then, Messi’s other close buddy and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, celebrating his 32nd birthday, made it 6-4 on a fast break after receiving a pass from Silvetti.
When Messi and his Inter Miami teammates lined up on Sunday night, the most burning question was not whether defending champion Miami would beat the last-place Union.
That seemed like a safe bet before the teams combined for an unexpected goal fest.
The defending MLS champion Miami boasts the most expensive roster in the league and was sitting in second place in the East while the Union had the lowest payroll and worst record in the league with just one win in 14 games entering Sunday’s contest.
The bigger question was whether the La Familia fans, who staged a silent protest last week, would be back with their drums, horns, banners and chants.
They were, after meeting with club management mid-week and airing out their frustrations about feeling unappreciated by the players, especially since moving to Nu Stadium this season.
Despite their drumbeats and piercing loud songs, Inter Miami got off to a miserable start on Sunday in a wild final game before the World Cup break. Messi’s team fell behind 3-1 and the teams were tied 4-4 as they headed to the locker rooms. It was such a bizarre half that at one point, the referee had to go to the sideline to replace his shoes, which had lost their soles.
Miami gave up an easy goal by unmarked Milan Iloski in the third minute after a headed pass from Frankie Westfield. Six minutes later, Iloski doubled Philly’s lead with a penalty kick following a foul in the box by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Berterame got Miami back into the game three minutes later on a close range shot with an assist by Messi. But the Union answered with a Bruno Damiani left footed shot at the 20-minute mark to take a 3-1 lead.
The stunned crowd at Nu Stadium got quiet, even as La Familia kept singing and jumping up and down.
Suarez injected Inter Miami and its fans with hope, closing the deficit to 3-2 in a shot from the center of the box after settling a pass by Ian Fray. Then, Berterame scored the equalizer on a Messi assist with a through ball.
Miami briefly took the lead, 4-3, on a close-range Suarez goal just before the end of regulation. But the crazy first-half goal fest was not over. Iloski recorded a hat trick to make it 4-4 just before intermission, converting a penalty kick to the top right corner after Miami left back Sergio Reguilon was called for a handball in the box.
Shortly after the second half got underway, heavy rain hit, drenching the players and blinding their field vision, but most of the fans stayed dry under Nu Stadium’s canopy that covers the stands.
La Familia kept quiet during the previous game because they felt players were not showing them the gratitude they deserve for the energy and atmosphere they bring to the stadium. They were particularly upset that Messi and the majority of his teammates had not saluted them after games, as is customary in soccer culture.
On Sunday, they were as loud as ever, determined to will their team to victory in a game that proved much more difficult that anyone expected. After the game, Inter Miami players made a point to go toward the North stand and applaud La Familia.
The Union won the Supporters’ Shield last season but this year have the worst record in the league with just one win, nine losses and four ties. The club let go of high-salaried veterans, and that has made a big impact.
Second-year coach Bradley Carnell said entering the game that his team would have nothing to lose and would be fired up to pull off a shocker heading into the World Cup break.
“This is the most polished and best Miami team I’ve seen since their expansion,” Carnell said on Friday. “They’re younger. They’re dynamic. They can hurt you. Their pressing metrics are pretty good, up high they hunt the ball. Defensively they’ve invested a lot, too. Then, you go a layer deeper with De Paul and [Yannick] Bright, who are very combative. And, they’ve got gamers on the last line, as well.
“They signed strategically, which has made them a whole lot better because then you put the star power and firepower up front…so, yeah, we have our hands full for sure.”
Turns out Inter Miami had its hands full, as well.
This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 8:38 PM.