Facing Columbus crew in the 17th round of the 2025 MLS, Messi had a brilliant performance when contributing 2 goals and 2 assists to Inter Miami, contributing greatly to the home team's 5-1 victory.
In the 13th minute, he assisted Tadeo Allende to open the scoring, before scoring a double from the 15th to the 24th minute, giving Inter Miami a 3-0 lead in less than 25 minutes of play.
In the second half, Columbus crew shortened the score to 1-3 but could not create a surprise. In the remaining time, Luis Suarez scored in the 64th minute and Fafa Picault sealed the 5-1 victory after Messi's second assist.
With 4 goals and 3 assists in the last 2 matches, Lionel Messi has increased the total number of goals scored for Inter Miami to 49 goals in 59 matches. In MLS alone, he has scored 31 goals and had 23 assists in 38 matches. This was the first time since October 2024 that Messi scored a double in 2 consecutive matches.
This brilliant performance came at the right time when Messi was preparing to join Argentina to compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. He is expected to continue leading the team nicknamed "Albiceleste" to maintain an all-win record in the context of missing many key players.
