Lionel Messi scores dream goal and assist on comeback

Lionel Messi celebrated his return from injury with a goal and an assist on Saturday, providing a decisive performance in Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS.

The 38-year-old Argentine star has been sidelined since early August with a minor right leg injury. Messi spent the first half on the bench against the defending champions on Saturday.

But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner wasted no time in getting back into his good habits: coming on just after the break, he gave his team the lead in the 84th minute (2-1), for his 19th goal in as many MLS matches.

He then set up Luis Suarez for the third goal with a splendid backheel in the 89th minute, registering his tenth assist of the season in the process.

Inter Miami is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Also on Saturday, South Korean Son Heung-min, the new attraction of the North American championship, was out with Los Angeles FC, which he joined at the beginning of August after ten years at Tottenham.

The former Londoner secured his first win (2-0), in his first start, against New England. After helping Chicago earn a draw by winning a penalty on his debut last week, he this time provided an assist for Mathieu Choinière on California's second goal (90th+4).

LAFC is fifth in the Western Conference.