Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists as Inter Miami signed off for the Club World Cup by trouncing the Columbus Crew 5-1 in MLS on Saturday.
Miami entered the game targeting back-to-back victories, after a 4-2 midweek success against CF Montreal snapped a four-game winless run for the Supporters’ Shield holders.
Messi’s first involvement came in the 13th minute as he hoisted a quick free-kick over the Columbus backline for fellow Argentine Tadeo Allende to chase. Allende kept his cool from the right side of the area, volleying into the far corner to give Miami the lead.
Just two minutes later, Messi had a goal of his own. He intercepted a wayward pass from Nicholas Hagen and went for an audacious lob, and though the retreating Crew goalkeeper got a touch to the ball, he was unable to prevent it from crossing the line.
Messi got his brace with another dinked finish in the 24th minute, beating Hagen with ease after latching onto Sergio Busquets’ lofted pass.
After Luis Suarez missed two great chances to extend Miami’s lead further, substitute Cesar Ruvalcaba pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half, heading Dylan Chambost’s corner home.
But Miami put their foot down again to pull clear. Messi was involved in their fourth goal in the 64th minute but did not get the assist, finding Telasco Segovia, who in turn teed up Suarez for a near-post finish.
And with stoppage time looming, Messi created a fifth goal for Miami with a wonderful throughball, allowing Fafa Picault to race clear and slot his finish under Hagen.
Putting on a show in South Florida.
Messi to Picault and it’s 5-1 to the hosts. pic.twitter.com/imeVDInSSw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2025
The victory lifts Miami to third in the Eastern Conference, with their next assignment being the opening match of the Club World Cup, versus Al Ahly on June 14.
Data Debrief: All-round brilliance from Messi
Miami – and Messi – intend to take the upcoming Club World Cup seriously, and they warmed up for the revamped tournament with a statement victory on Saturday.
Messi had two or more goals and two or more assists in the same game for the 13th time in his club career, and the first since October 2022.
On that occasion, he had two goals and two assists for Paris Saint-Germain in a 7-2 Champions League group-stage rout of Maccabi Haifa.
He also accomplished that feat 11 times for Barcelona, getting two goals and two assists on eight occasions, and three goals and two assists on three occasions.
Messi is now up to 15 goal involvements in MLS this year (10 goals, five assists), the most of any player in the league.
