Lionel Messi showcased his abilities in Inter Miami's match before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The club defeated Columbus Crew 5-1, and 37-year-old Argentina's Messi not only scored twice but also three assists during a match worthy of the 16th round of the MLS Eastern Conference. Allende, Suárez, and Picault's goal sealed the win. The win completes the team's preparation for the global competition on an upbeat, and their best player is in top form.
Messi had an assist for each of the five goals for Inter Miami. Not just did he create goals number two and number three, but he created assists for Allende, Suárez, and Picault, as well. The match earned the No. 10 Royal Caribbean Icon of the Match. Herons hold 29 points for the MLS and are ranked third with eight victories, five ties, and three losses and maintain their good run through regular campaign.
A decisive victory
Inter Miami took an early lead, after just 13 minutes. Messi produced a superb lobbed pass over the defense, and Allende was present to strike it first-time and open the scoresheet. The goal was Allende's sixth regular-season goal and Messi's fourth assist of 2025 MLS action.
Within two minutes of play, Columbus Crew keeper Hagen erred when he played out from the back. Messi took full advantage and shot from outside the box left-footed to double for Inter Miami. A little later, in the 24th, Busquets chipped a pass over the defense, and Messi ran onto it full stride. He took no touch and chipped it over the keeper leisurely. That was his tenth goal of the regular MLS season.
Columbus tried to reply, but Miami replied promptly
Columbus Crew started the second half looking to get going. Defender Cesar Ruvalcaba put in a header from a corner kick in the 48th minute to make it 3-1. Inter Miami did not let them settle, though.
The series of rapid passes resulted in Suárez receiving a pass into the box in the 64th. The striker shot low and into the corner for Miami's fourth goal. The 89th minute then saw the fifth and last goal. The run by Picault caught the sight of Messi and he played a long through pass into space. The Haitian striker ran through and put it into the right bottom corner.
Messi sets new records while wearing an Inter Miami jersey
As much effort as Columbus has put into shutting him down, Messi has 15 goals through 20 games this year. Five of those have been over his previous three games. He moved past Gonzalo Higuaín to become Inter Miami's all-time regular-season goal leader in MLS history with 31 goals.
Other than that, Messi is just the second player to have five or more goal and assist inputs in a match more than once. Diego Rossi had done it before him.
Those statistics put into context how much he brings to the team, whether it's build-up or finish. He's been Inter Miami's most lethal attacking presence of 2025 and, considering the looming Club World Cup, he's clearly getting into top gear.
Suárez reaches another milestone
Suárez registered a personal landmark in Inter Miami's win against Columbus Crew. He is now Inter Miami's second overall leading scorer across competitions, reaching 33 goals, one above Leonardo Campana's 32.