MIAMI -- Lionel Messi made his return to action for Inter Miami on Saturday, 13 days after tasting defeat with Argentina in the World Cup final.
Messi started on the substitutes' bench before being introduced in the 53rd minute of Miami's 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew at Nu Stadium in Miami.
The 39-year-old, who replaced Dániel Pintér, received a huge ovation from the home crowd as the returning hero made his entrance following his sixth World Cup.
It was almost a dream reintroduction for MLS' biggest star when, three minutes after coming on, he took down a pass from Luis Suárez on the right side of the penalty box and flashed his left foot through the ball. The South Florida crowd was just waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net when it instead soared wide of the near post to shocked reactions from all around.
A goal would have put Miami 3-1 to the good after Uruguayan veteran Suárez had starred in the first half. His audacious first-time shot from distance that sailed over the head of Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte gave Miami the lead before he provided an assist to Noah Allen to put Miami back ahead on the stroke of halftime.
Columbus had equalized in the first half thanks to an own goal from Brazil midfielder Casemiro on his Miami home debut. And the visitors repeated the trick when Brais Méndez's free kick found the net in the 84th minute to deny Miami all three points.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos acknowledged that the game "slipped away" in the final minutes but hailed his team, especially the returning Messi and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
"I want to thank the squad for the effort they've put in," he said. "I want to publicly thank Leo and Rodrà for being here; that has been truly important for us. I also want to acknowledge the sustained effort everyone is making throughout the game, a league that is fiercely contested and requires hard work."
Messi had starred at the World Cup, recording eight goals and four assists and breaking several records along the way.
He captained Argentina to the final for the second consecutive time, playing the entire 120 minutes as his team fell 1-0 to Spain following extra time at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Messi's club and international teammate De Paul, who played 70 minutes of the final in Argentina's midfield, was named in Miami's starting lineup on Saturday.
De Paul lined up alongside Casemiro, who was making his second appearance following his summer arrival after leaving Manchester United.
Hoyos was full of praise for Casemiro, despite what was his first own goal at club level since 2011 with São Paulo in the Brazilian league.
"Casimiro is one of the best players in the world," he said. "He is tremendous in his position because he provides real balance between defense and attack, and he ensures the ball is played out very cleanly from that area.
"He is a fantastic signing who can bring a lot of success to the team. So, this is praise for both the player and the person, because he is a great person, too."
Both Messi and De Paul took time off following the World Cup, missing Inter Miami's games against the Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal. The two players were also excused without being penalized from the MLS All-Star Game after being selected for the roster.
The duo returned to training with Inter Miami earlier this week. Messi last played for Inter Miami on May 24 when facing the Philadelphia Union at Nu Stadium prior to the World Cup.
Inter Miami, who remain two points behind Nashville SC at the top of the Eastern Conference, will now shift their attention to the Leagues Cup. The Herons are set to host Atlético de San Luis at Nu Stadium on Wednesday before facing Monterrey and León for a chance to advance to the knockout rounds of the competition.
