Messi resumes playing with "Inter Miami."

The Argentine star Lionel Messi returned to the American soccer league (MLS) on Saturday after participating in the 2026 World Cup, coming on as a substitute in the second half during his team Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew.

After two weeks from the Argentine national team's loss to the Spanish team in the World Cup final hosted in North America, Messi returned to the pitch, entering the match in the 53rd minute to a warm welcome from the fans at "No Stadium" in Miami; however, the player, who won the World Cup title in 2022 in Qatar, was unable to celebrate his return with a goal and only managed to shoot twice off target.

Uruguayan Luis Suarez opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 16th minute, marking his seventh goal in the last four matches.

Columbus equalized 1-1 in the 34th minute after an own goal by Miami midfielder Casemiro, a former player for Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Suarez then played the role of the key passer, setting up Greek Noah Allen to give Miami a 2-1 lead with a header before the end of the first half.

However, Spanish midfielder Bryce Mendes, who played his first match with Columbus after transferring from Real Sociedad, scored the second equalizer with a stunning free kick in the 84th minute.

The draw ended Inter Miami's six-match winning streak; however, they maintained second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, which also drew with DC United 2-2.

In the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps remained tied at the top after drawing 1-1 at "BC Place" in Vancouver.

South Korean Son Heung-min continued his brilliance since the resumption of the American league after the World Cup, raising his tally to four goals in four matches when he gave Los Angeles the lead in the 37th minute.

But German star Thomas Müller equalized for Vancouver with a penalty in the 76th minute.

Son, the former Tottenham star, faced significant criticism after South Korea failed to reach the knockout stages of this year's World Cup. He also received the award for Best Player in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.