Casemiro Suffers Nightmare Inter Miami Home Debut With Own Goal as Lionel Messi Returns After World Cup Final Heartbreak

Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro experienced a difficult first appearance in front of Inter Miami’s home supporters after scoring an unfortunate own goal during their 2-2 MLS draw against Columbus Crew on Saturday.

The Brazilian veteran had only recently joined the Major League Soccer side following his departure from Manchester United at the conclusion of the 2025-26 Premier League season. After several successful years at Old Trafford, where he was reportedly earning around £375,000 per week, the 34-year-old decided to continue his career in the United States on a free transfer.

Casemiro made his first appearance for Inter Miami on July 26, completing the entire match as his new team secured a narrow 1-0 victory away against Montreal. His competitive debut was viewed as a promising beginning, with the experienced midfielder expected to provide leadership, defensive stability, and winning mentality to a squad featuring several international stars.

However, his first home match at the Nu Stadium produced a far more frustrating experience.

Inter Miami initially looked comfortable after taking the lead through a spectacular long-range effort from Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan striker’s strike gave the home side confidence and created a positive atmosphere among the supporters who were eager to see their new signing perform on familiar ground.

That advantage disappeared in the 34th minute when Casemiro became the unlikely source of Columbus Crew’s equalizer. The midfielder was involved in the mistake from the beginning, losing possession inside his own half and allowing Columbus to launch an attacking move.

After winning back the ball, Hugo Picard quickly found Daniel Gazdag, who moved the play toward the wing. Gazdag then delivered the ball into space for Taha Habroune, whose low cross caused problems inside the Inter Miami penalty area.

Attempting to prevent the danger, Casemiro stretched out desperately in an effort to intercept the delivery. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, his attempted clearance redirected the ball beyond his own goalkeeper, Rocco Rios Novo, and into the back of the net.

The unexpected own goal left Casemiro visibly disappointed, while the home crowd was temporarily silenced by the shocking moment. The normally composed midfielder showed his frustration as Inter Miami were forced to recover from the mistake.

The difficult evening continued for Casemiro later in the match when he received a yellow card for a foul on Columbus player Sekou Bangoura. Despite the setback, the former Real Madrid star continued working hard in midfield as Miami attempted to regain control of the contest.

Inter Miami managed to respond before halftime. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Noah Allen restored the home team’s advantage with a goal that brought the stadium back to life. The strike ensured that Miami entered the interval with renewed confidence despite Casemiro’s earlier error.

The atmosphere became even more electric shortly after the second half began as Lionel Messi made his return to competitive action.

The Argentine superstar entered the match in the 53rd minute to a huge reception from the Inter Miami supporters. It was Messi’s first appearance since captaining Argentina in their disappointing World Cup final defeat against Spain on July 19.

The 39-year-old forward immediately took over leadership responsibilities by receiving the captain’s armband from Luis Suarez. His arrival created optimism among fans hoping that the club’s biggest star could help secure another victory.

However, despite Messi’s presence on the pitch, Inter Miami were unable to hold onto their advantage. The team’s hopes of collecting three points were ended late in the match when Columbus Crew found an equalizer in the 84th minute.

Brais Mendez delivered the decisive moment with a cleverly taken free kick from the right side. The cross travelled through the penalty area untouched, struck the post, and bounced into the net, leaving the Inter Miami defense unable to react in time.

The late goal meant that Miami had to settle for a draw, ending their impressive six-match winning streak. Nevertheless, the result extended their unbeaten run to seven consecutive matches, highlighting the team’s strong overall form despite the disappointment of dropping two points at home.

The match also carried similarities to recent international football events, as the contest experienced a 40-minute delay because of poor weather conditions. The interruption added further frustration to an already dramatic evening filled with unexpected twists.

For Casemiro, the match represented a challenging introduction to life in Miami. The midfielder arrived with a reputation built on years of success at the highest level of European football. During his time with Real Madrid, he won numerous major trophies, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles, before becoming a key figure at Manchester United.

Inter Miami recruited him because of his experience, physical presence, and ability to perform under pressure. While his home debut did not go according to plan, the club will hope that his leadership qualities and football intelligence will become valuable assets throughout the MLS campaign.

One mistake is unlikely to define Casemiro’s contribution, especially given his long history of delivering important performances in crucial matches. The midfielder has built a career on resilience, and Inter Miami supporters will expect him to recover quickly from this difficult opening night.

Meanwhile, Messi’s return provided the biggest positive moment for the club. After the disappointment of the World Cup final defeat, his comeback was welcomed enthusiastically by both teammates and fans. Although he could not produce a winning moment against Columbus, his presence remains central to Inter Miami’s ambitions.

With Messi, Suarez, and Casemiro now part of the squad, Inter Miami continue to attract global attention as one of the most recognizable teams in MLS. The club will hope that their collection of experienced stars can help them compete for major honors during the remainder of the season.

Despite the frustrating draw, Inter Miami remain in strong form. Their unbeaten streak continues, and the return of Messi adds another significant boost as they prepare for upcoming challenges.

For Casemiro, the focus now shifts toward his next opportunity to make a positive impression. The Brazilian midfielder will be determined to put his unfortunate own goal behind him and demonstrate why Inter Miami believed he could become an important figure in their pursuit of success.