Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance on Saturday, scoring twice for the fifth consecutive game to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Nashville. Just days after becoming the first MLS player to record multiple goals in four straight matches, the Argentine superstar repeated the feat, further solidifying his dominance in the league.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a perfectly placed left-footed free-kick that slipped through Nashville’s defensive wall, leaving goalkeeper Joe Willis helpless. Miami controlled the first half, but Nashville equalized early in the second when Hany Mukhtar headed home in the 49th minute. The tie was short-lived, however, as Messi capitalized on a costly error by Willis in the 62nd minute, intercepting a poor pass before slotting home the winner.
The brace extended Messi’s remarkable form, bringing his season tally to 16 goals in 16 appearances—tying him with Nashville’s Sam Surridge for the league lead. Miami coach Javier Mascherano praised his captain, saying, “There are not many words. It’s incredible what he keeps doing, breaking records now every three days. He is the standard-bearer of our team and a true leader.”
The win marked Miami’s third since returning from the Club World Cup, where they were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain. With 38 points from 19 games, they now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, five points behind leaders Philadelphia—who topped the Red Bulls 2-0—with three games in hand. Meanwhile, Cincinnati dropped to second after a 4-2 loss to Columbus.
As Miami prepares for a busy stretch, including a midweek clash against Cincinnati, Mascherano acknowledged the need to manage Messi’s workload. “At some point, we’ll have to give him rest,” he said. “We’ll assess it day by day, but for now, he’s feeling good.”
The victory keeps Miami’s playoff push on track, with Messi once again proving the difference-maker in their pursuit of silverware.
