Inter Miami Tidbits: Wild, Wacky Win; Messi Mystery

Miami-Inter Miami CF and the Philadelphia Union played one of the wildest and wackiest matches you will ever see Sunday night at NU Stadium. A record-setting eight goals were scored in the first half en route to a rain-soaked, entertaining 6-4 win for the Herons. Luis Suárez and Milan Iloski each scored a hat trick to lead the explosive goal-scoring outburst.

Philadelphia Union stunned the Herons early with a goal just four minutes into the match

The Union goes on top early as the #InterMiamiCF defense is caught napping.. It all starts with an unmarked Philly runner from midfield.. 1-0 #MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/VQUkS0CWy0

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 24, 2026

The Union extended its lead on a Milan Iloski penalty kick after Dayne St. Clair committed a clumsy foul on the Philadelphia attacker.

Philly makes it 2-0 after St Claire commits the clumsy penalty.. The Union came to play..#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/UX3LqdRKaK

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 24, 2026

The Herons responded with a goal from Germán Berterame off an assist by Lionel Messi to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Herons respond with a Berterame score with an assist from #Messi.. 2-1 Philly leads… pic.twitter.com/Ci8G9n2I6R

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 24, 2026

Philly increased its lead after Dayne St Clair blocked a shot, but left the rebound perfectly for Bruno Damiani to get his first goal of the season. Philly looked poised to upset Miami.

Philly is putting it on #InterMiamiCF early in the first half..3-1 the Union is focused on surprising the Herons ..#MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/oGb5a7hejK

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 24, 2026

The Gunslinger, Luis Suarez, cut into the lead with a fabulous volley of a classy chip by Ian Fray, 3-2.

Fray with the fantastic lob pass & the “Gunslinger” Luis Suarez with the beautiful volley to cut the Philly lead to 3-2..#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/2dM7wPlO2B

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 24, 2026

Lionel Messi gave German Berterame a slicing pass in the Philly box that the surging striker put in the back of the net to tie the match at 3-3.

German Berterame ties it at 3-3 with an assist from #Messi..#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive https://t.co/uPinY5flHE

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 26, 2026

Suarez was in the right spot to push in a rebound off a Rodrigo DePaul shot to put Inter Miami ahead 4-3.

Luis Suarez with the brace to give the Herons the 4-3 lead in a wild & crazy match..#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/AtKzBvJRR4

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

VAR called for a review, and a penalty was granted to Philly. Milan Iloski scored once again to tie the match 4-4. All this scoring and craziness happened before halftime, setting a new MLS record for goals scored in the first half of a match.

Another penalty allows Philly to tie the match at 4-4.. One of the weirdest & wackiest first halves I have ever seen for #InterMiamiCF..Hope the second half is just as crazy..#MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/vIbECDS8f8

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

The second half was not as crazy, and fortunately for the Herons, they were able to take command. Luis Suarez secured his hat-trick to give the Herons some breathing room at 5-4.

Suarez with the hat 🎩 trick to make it 5-4 #InterMiamiCF ..The Herons take the lead once again in this epic surreal match..#MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/WSq1gkqgQ6

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

Rodrigo DePaul got his birthday gift in the form of a Mateo Silvetti assist for Miami’s sixth and final goal of the match. A wild and wet night ended 6-4 with a game for the ages.

Rodrigo DePaul gets a gift for his birthday scoring the sixth & final goal of the game for #InterMiamiCF… @nu_stadium seems to be a portal to a wild futból universe.. Crazy things happen in this place. 6-4 ..#MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/nk3f216tEE

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

Messi Mystery

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute with what appeared to be discomfort in his left leg. He stood by the sideline while the ball was still in play and waited before walking straight into the tunnel and disappearing into the locker room.

Lionel #Messi was just standing by the sideline waiting to be subbed off with the team playing the ball around him & not even trying to pass to the GOAT..He’s subbed off, let’s hope he is not injured..#MLS #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/p8bYAoD8na

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

After the match, Guillermo Hoyos was asked about Lionel Messi’s substitution, which is not a common occurrence. The coach stated that he was taken off as a precautionary measure due to “muscle fatigue.” No other official information was provided about Lionel’s condition until late Monday afternoon, when the club put out an update.

Lionel #Messi has “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring & will be out of action until his condition improves… Considered minor, the GOAT’s availability for the #FIFAWorldCup2026 is not in jeopardy https://t.co/ymyw3Y7OBe

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 25, 2026

After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring. The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.

The “initial diagnosis” does not reveal much beyond what Guillermo Hoyos said during the postgame press conference. For the sake of fútbol, hopefully it is nothing more than “muscle fatigue,” and the world will once again get to enjoy a healthy Lionel Messi at the World Cup. The King of Fútbol deserves one last dance, and we are all eager to watch him dance on the pitch.