Inter Miami hosted Columbus Crew in a pivotal 2025 MLS season clash, aiming to bounce back after a string of disappointing results in recent weeks, and team captain Lionel Messi was at the center of the action once again. After providing a key assist to open the scoring, the Argentine star scored two goals by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper twice.
Messi first set up Tadeo Allende with a pinpoint long ball in the 13th minute. Allende caught the ball mid-air inside the box and slotted home a clinical finish to give the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.
Just minutes later, Inter Miami struck again. Messi capitalized on a poor clearance from the Crew‘s goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen—controlling the ball with his chest before quickly lifting a clever chip over the onrushing keeper. Despite getting a hand to it, the shot had too much finesse and found the back of the net, putting Inter Miami up 2-0 in the 15th minute.
The Argentine wasn’t done. In the 24th minute, Messi made a darting run behind the defense. Sergio Busquets picked him out with a trademark long ball, and Messi replicated his earlier effort—chipping the ball over Hagen once more to complete his brace in stunning fashion.
Messi makes history at Inter Miami
Lionel Messi continues to build his legendary resume in MLS, and since arriving at Inter Miami in July 2023, he has helped elevate the club into one of the league’s marquee franchises. With his two goals against Columbus, Messi has now added another major milestone to his career.
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The brace makes Lionel Messi Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer in MLS play. Last weekend against the Philadelphia Union, he tied Gonzalo Higuain with 29 goals. Now, with 31, he sits alone at the top. The club’s scoring leaderboard is rounded out by Leonardo Campana with 28 goals and Luis Suarez, who has tallied 25 so far for the Herons.
