Lionel Messi claimed his second title with Inter Miami on Wednesday, marking his 46th overall across club and international competitions. The Argentine superstar now sets his sights on even greater achievements.
Messi’s Brilliance Leads to Victory
Messi netted two goals in a 3-2 win over defending champions Columbus Crew, securing the MLS Supporters' Shield for Inter Miami. His performance, complemented by a goal from Luis Suárez, overcame a late push by Columbus in a thrilling match.
After the win, Messi shared his happiness but kept his attention on upcoming challenges. "We’re pleased to reach this initial goal, but we’re already considering what lies ahead," Messi stated during his post-game interview with Apple TV.
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A Night of Celebrations
The night’s festivities kicked off with Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas presenting the Supporters' Shield to the team in the locker room. Messi, proudly holding both the trophy and a bottle of his own Mas+ by Messi drink, symbolized the pinnacle of his marketing presence and athletic success.
This marks the second major title in the Messi era at Inter Miami, following their Leagues Cup triumph last year. However, the team’s aspirations extend beyond this victory, with their eyes set on the MLS Cup final on December 7, and potentially the FIFA Club World Cup next year.
Messi’s Impact on the Field
Head coach Tata Martino remarked, "Leo was the game changer." He shares a long history with Messi from their experiences together at FC Barcelona and the Argentine National Team. Martino emphasized the significance of the Supporters' Shield while maintaining that the team’s goal is to reach the MLS Cup final and earn a spot in the Club World Cup. "It would be more just if we earned it," he added, underscoring the importance of competition.
Messi scored his first goal in the 45th minute with a straightforward tap-in using his left foot. Moments later, in first-half stoppage time (45+4’), he delivered a trademark free kick that curled into the left side of the net, giving Inter Miami a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime.
A Dramatic Second Half
The second half began with a flurry of action. Suárez scored his team-leading 18th goal in the 48th minute, two minutes after Columbus' star Diego Rossi found the net. Columbus continued their fightback with a penalty kick from top scorer Cucho Hernandez in the 61st minute. However, when Hernandez was given another penalty opportunity in the 84th minute, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender came up big, preserving the win.
Messi Shines in Critical Moments
The match lived up to its billing as the most anticipated of the MLS season, but it was Messi who once again stole the show. "Today, in probably the most important match of the year, we saw the version of Leo that defines matches and championships," said Martino, praising Messi’s influence in pivotal moments.
Messi, fresh from recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final in July, had been slowly returning to form. Despite scoring three goals in his first four matches back, some questioned his fitness, and he faced criticism during Inter Miami’s stretch of three consecutive draws leading up to the match. But Messi silenced any doubts with his performance against Columbus.
Teammates' Contributions Underrated
While Messi was instrumental, his teammates deserve recognition for their role in securing the Supporters' Shield. Despite missing 15 MLS matches this season, Messi has managed 17 goals in 17 games. Inter Miami, however, demonstrated resilience even in his absence, going 10-2-3 without him, and accumulating 32 of the 68 points that clinched their title.
Between June and August, Inter Miami played nine games without Messi and won eight of them, showcasing the team's depth and ability to thrive despite injuries. Messi himself acknowledged this, praising the squad’s perseverance through a challenging season.
A Record-Breaking Season?
With two matches left—one against Toronto and another hosting New England—Inter Miami could still break the MLS record for points in a season. With 68 points after the win over Columbus, two more victories would push them to 74, surpassing the current record of 73 set by New England in 2021.
Messi, however, downplayed the significance of breaking the points record. "While it’s a great opportunity to make history, it’s less important," he remarked, reaffirming his focus on the playoffs.
Preparing for the Playoffs
Inter Miami has secured home-field advantage for the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs, giving them a significant edge. "The first goal is achieved, now we focus on what comes next," Messi stated. "The playoffs can take diverse ways, but we have the advantage of playing on our domestic field, where we perform uncommonly well."
The team’s rapid rise from a club that struggled to qualify for the playoffs last year to Supporters' Shield champions speaks to their transformation. Co-owned by Jorge and Jose Mas, alongside David Beckham, Inter Miami has gone from an underperforming expansion club to one of the league’s premier teams.
Now, with the playoffs looming, Messi and Inter Miami are in pursuit of their third club title and potentially Messi’s 47th overall trophy. A deep playoff run seems well within reach.
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