Lionel Messi celebrated his second title with Inter Miami and his 46th overall in his illustrious soccer career. Following a captivating match, Messi expressed his eagerness for future victories.
Messi netted two goals, while Luis Suarez contributed one, leading Inter Miami to a 3-2 triumph over the defending champion Columbus Crew. This victory secured the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the club on Wednesday night.
“We are pleased to have reached this first objective, and now we are looking ahead,” Messi stated in a post-match interview with Apple TV.
Jorge Mas, the owner of Inter Miami, initiated the locker room festivities, brandishing the Supporters’ Shield trophy alongside Messi, who raised his Berry Copa Crush Mas+ drink in a celebratory display.
Inter Miami previously secured the Leagues Cup title last year, drawing global attention following Messi’s arrival in July 2023. The Supporters’ Shield marks the club’s second title during the Messi era, solidifying their success.
With the MLS Cup final set for December 7, Inter Miami is eager to continue their winning streak and potentially compete in the FIFA Club World Cup next year on American soil.
“Leo was the game changer,” remarked Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who has a history of coaching Messi during their time at FC Barcelona and with the Argentine National Team.
“We aim to reach December 7, and earning a spot in the Club World Cup would mean a lot to us. The Supporters’ Shield is very important for our progress,” Martino added.
Messi opened the scoring in the 45th minute with a deft left-footed finish, subsequently scoring a spectacular free kick just before halftime (45+4’), giving Inter Miami a 2-0 advantage heading into the break.
Suarez tallied his team-leading 18th goal shortly after halftime, just two minutes following a goal from Crew star Diego Rossi. Columbus Crew’s leading scorer, Cucho Hernandez, converted a penalty in the 61st minute, but his second attempt to tie the game in the 84th minute was thwarted by Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The match lived up to the hype as one of the season’s best encounters, showcasing the Crew’s determination, yet Messi’s brilliance was undeniable.
“Today, in what may have been our most critical match of the year, we saw once again the version of Leo that changes games and defines championships,” Martino noted.
Messi, who recently returned from a right ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final in July, has played five games since his comeback. In these matches, he has scored three goals but faced criticism regarding his fitness. Despite this, Inter Miami is focused on building momentum after three consecutive draws.
Although Messi has room for improvement, he proved pivotal for Inter Miami against Columbus. His teammates also deserve recognition for maintaining the club’s position at the top of the MLS standings throughout much of the season.
Messi holds 17 goals in 17 appearances, despite missing 15 matches this season. Inter Miami’s record without him was an impressive 10-3-2 (W-L-D), amassing 32 points prior to their final two games.
“Throughout the year, we faced numerous injuries that impeded our unity, but the team maximized their performance during tough matches,” Messi commented.
With two games remaining — one against Toronto and another at home against New England Revolution — Inter Miami is eyeing the MLS points record. Currently at 68 points, they aim to surpass the 73 points set by the Revolution in 2021.
“While we have a great chance to make history in this aspect, it’s less significant compared to having a strong playoff run,” Messi said regarding the points record.
“The first goal has been accomplished, and now we shift focus to what lies ahead. Our initial playoff bout will be a best-of-three, and afterward, every game is decisive. The advantage is that we play all our matches at home, which was part of our strategy. We feel exceptionally strong at home.”
Inter Miami, co-owned by Jorge and Jose Mas, as well as David Beckham, has transitioned from being a struggling team to becoming Supporters’ Shield champions since joining the league in 2020. They failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, but now they have secured home-field advantage for the upcoming playoffs, where another title is within reach.