FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, -- After missing five of the last six games with a hamstring injury, Lionel Messi returned to action Saturday, playing 35 minutes off the bench in a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati that eliminated Inter Miami from MLS postseason contention.
Messi's only real contributions came when he sailed two free kicks -- one in the the 58th minute, the other in stoppage time -- well over Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano's crossbar.
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The 36-year-old Argentine legend -- who played more centrally in this game than he had in previous outings for Inter Miami -- had managed just 37 minutes in one appearance over the last six games coming into Saturday, with Miami winning just once while Messi was absent.