Lionel Messi's admission says everything after glorious return from injury - 'I felt scared'

Lionel Messi made a triumphant return from injury to fire Inter Miamiinto the Leagues Cup final, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday night.

Messi, 38, returned for the second time in as many weeks after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. The World Cup winner showed no mercy in his first start for weeks, scoring in both the 77th and the 88th minute to help Miami book a date with Seattle Sounders in Sunday's showpiece final.

Miami's star man had featured for just 45 minutes across the team's last five games due to injury and admitted that he was determined to feature in the Florida derby - even if he was initially "scared" to do so following his recent setback.

“I wanted to be here. Against the LA Galaxy, I felt uncomfortable, but I knew how important this rival was. I prepared for it. In the first half, I felt scared, but little by little I loosened up,” he told Apple TV after the match.

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"The opponent, it’s a difficult opponent that had beaten us twice this season."

Miami were without their head coach, Javier Mascherano, on the touchline with the former Liverpool and Argentina star serving a ban. Javier Morales stood in and he was quick to herald Messi for playing the whole game at such a high standard.

He said: “We are at a loss for words when it comes to discussing Leo. He trained only two or three days and then (Wednesday) he played 90 minutes and the way he played, created situations, scoring goals. There is nothing more to say. For us, and for the fans, it's a privilege to have him on our team.”

Messi's former Barcelona team-mate, Sergio Busquets, also praised the legendary attacker after the game. “I don’t know if he was at 100 percent, coming off an injury after being inactive for a bit. But look at what he’s done.”

Busquets added: “We're trying to help the club grow. I think the best is ahead of us, and that’s it. The team is growing. Little by little, we’re getting to know each other better. We know what we want and how solid we can be. Hopefully we can win another title.”

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