Lionel Messi continues to redefine excellence at Inter Miami CF, delivering a jaw-dropping performance in a 3–0 rout of Columbus Crew SC on Saturday night. The Argentine superstar wasted no time, orchestrating a first-half masterclass with two goals and an assist in just the opening 24 minutes, leaving one of MLS’s top teams reeling.
The onslaught began in the 13th minute when Messi set up Tadeo Allende for Miami’s opening goal, showcasing his vision and precision. Two minutes later, he capitalized on a blunder by Crew goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who mishandled a kick, gifting the ball to Messi. The 38-year-old made no mistake, curling a sublime shot into the net for his ninth goal of the season. By the 25th minute, Messi struck again, chipping Hagen on a breakaway to complete his brace and bring his season tally to 10 goals and four assists in just 13 games.
MESSI BRACE. 🐐@InterMiamiCF are cruising in the first half. pic.twitter.com/8gw3k45AaY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
This electrifying performance saw Messi etch his name deeper into Inter Miami’s history books. His two goals made him the club’s all-time leading MLS goalscorer, surpassing Gonzalo Higuaín’s regular-season record of 29 goals with his 30th and 31st strikes. Remarkably, while Higuaín needed 67 games to set the mark, Messi achieved this milestone in just his 38th MLS appearance. Across all competitions, Messi’s 59 matches for Miami have now yielded an astonishing 49 goals.
The Columbus clash capped a sensational week for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. After a brief two-game scoring drought, Messi has roared back with five goals and two assists in his last three matches. His midweek heroics in a 4–2 victory over CF Montréal saw him reach 50 regular-season goal contributions, further cementing his dominance.
Saturday’s match was Inter Miami’s final tune-up before the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Egypt’s Al-Ahly on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium to kick off the expanded 32-team tournament. Miami’s group stage will conclude with matches against Portugal’s FC Porto and Brazil’s Palmeiras. Messi and his teammates will return to MLS action on June 28 against Atlanta United, carrying the momentum of this latest triumph.
With Columbus Crew as the latest victim on his record-breaking rampage, Messi continues to prove that age is just a number, and his brilliance remains unmatched in MLS.