Lionel Messi's return from injury went exactly as planned, as the Inter Miami star scored two goals and assisted the third in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Having missed two months with an ankle injury suffered in the Copa America final, the 37-year-old finally made it back onto the pitch and bagged a brace in the victory, while assisting Luis Suarez's goal to lock down the three points.
Being out for so long and with a notable injury history, it was a bit surprising that Herons boss Tata Martino started Messi from the get-go and kept him on the pitch for the full match.
MORE: All the latest soccer action | Lionel Messi news
When asked after the game about the decision, Martino said he was pleased with the outcome and stated he couldn't take Messi off given his effect on the game.
"I had to keep them both [Messi and Luis Suarez] on the pitch because of the unbalance they bring to the match," Martino said after the game.
Still, he said the gamble paid off, as Messi's three goal contributions were worth the minutes load, and he came out of the game unscathed. "I'm happy he was able to play the whole game and that he felt fine afterward," Martino said.
MORE: A full minute-by-minute recap of the 3-1 win for Inter Miami over the Philadelphia Union
The Inter Miami head coach now has a big headache for the next match against Atlanta United on the road just four days away. The biggest issues are at the back, where in this one Saturday game they lost two center-backs to injury and two more to yellow card accumulations.
With Messi, Martino will have to make a decision as well. Even when healthy, Inter Miami have been very careful with the 37-year-old Argentine not to overload his body, and they have often targeted road matches as good chances to rest him. Given the club holds a 10-point lead atop both the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield standings, the Herons can afford to give him time off with the playoffs approaching.
