Lionel Messi secured his second title with Inter Miami and his 46th overall on Wednesday night, while also setting his sights on further glory.
Messi scored twice, and teammate Luis Suarez contributed another goal as Inter Miami fended off a second-half rally from the defending champion Columbus Crew, claiming a 3-2 victory to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
“The truth is that we are happy to achieve the first goal and now we are thinking about what is coming, right?” Messi stated during a post-match interview with Apple TV.
After the match, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas kicked off the locker room celebrations by presenting the Supporters’ Shield trophy to the team. Messi proudly lifted the trophy alongside Mas, even showcasing a bottle of his “Mas+ by Messi” drink, highlighting a clever moment of product promotion.
Inter Miami previously claimed the Leagues Cup title last year, gaining global attention following Messi’s arrival in July 2023. The Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the top team in the MLS regular season, marks the club’s second title during Messi’s tenure. The team is now aiming for success in the MLS Cup final, slated for December 7, and hopes to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup next year in the United States.
“Leo was the game changer,” commented Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who has also managed Messi at FC Barcelona and the Argentine National Team. “Our goal is to get to December 7, and we would like to play in the Club World Cup. With the names we have on our team, they could just give us a spot, but it would be more just and mean more if we earn it, and this Supporters’ Shield was very important for us.”
Messi opened the scoring with a left-footed tap-in in the 45th minute and followed it with a stunning free kick that curled into the net just before halftime, putting Inter Miami ahead 2-0.
Suarez later tallied his team-leading 18th goal just after the break. Crew star Diego Rossi responded quickly for Columbus, but a penalty converted by Crew’s Cucho Hernandez in the 61st minute did not lead to a comeback, as Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender denied Hernandez a second penalty attempt in the 84th minute.
The match lived up to expectations as one of the best of the MLS season, with Messi’s brilliance shining through. “Today, in probably the most important match we have played this year so far, we found again the version of Leo that defines matches and championships,” Martino added.
Returning from an ankle injury suffered during the Copa America final in July, Messi has played five matches and scored three goals so far. Despite facing criticism for looking fatigued at times, he proved crucial for Inter Miami during the match against Columbus.
Inter Miami has managed to keep pace atop the MLS standings through teamwork and resilience, even during Messi’s absence. He has registered 17 goals in 17 games, despite missing 15 MLS matches this season. Without him, the club achieved a record of 10 wins, two draws, and three losses, illustrating their depth and talent.
With two matches remaining against Toronto on Saturday and the New England Revolution on October 19, Inter Miami is eyeing the MLS points record of 73 set in 2021. Messi acknowledged the significance of this achievement but emphasized their focus on making a deep playoff run.
“The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what is coming, right? The first playoff matchup is a best of three, but then it becomes a single game,” Messi said, highlighting the unpredictability of knockout rounds. “We have a great advantage in that we play all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. I think we are very, very strong at home.”
Since joining the league in 2020, Inter Miami has transformed from a team struggling to win to Supporters’ Shield champions, now set up for potential playoff success at home.
With the prospect of a third title for the club and Messi’s 47th overall on the line, the excitement is palpable as Inter Miami prepares for the MLS Cup Playoffs.