Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi says he’s “very happy” to continue at Inter Miami after signing a new deal with the club. (0:47)
Lionel Messi has no shortage of motivation in 2025. His Inter Miami CF won the Supporters’ Shield last season, setting an MLS single-season record for points in the process, before being humbly knocked out of the playoffs in Round 1. This year, his second full campaign in the league, marks an opportunity for redemption. It’s also the final season of his contract in South Florida.
Could the GOAT put pen to paper on a new deal that would run through next season and beyond the 2026 World Cup? Absolutely. In fact, the Herons expect him to do just that. But as ever in life, there are no guarantees.
So watch him while you can, savor every moment of Messi magic during his stateside sojourn, because you never know. This could be the end.
While the Argentina captain is in MLS, ESPN is breaking down his performances for Miami game by game, providing stats and info every time he slips on a Herons jersey.
Messi’s 2025 tally:
Games played: 44Goals: 39Assists: 21Oct. 24: Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville SCIt’s been an eventful week for Lionel Messi. After signing a contract extension with Miami through 2027 and being presented with the MLS Golden Boot, the Argentine delivered once again, scoring twice in the opening game of Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Messi netted his first-ever MLS postseason goal with a brilliant diving header — his 890th career goal — to open the scoring for Miami. He later capitalized on a costly error from Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis to complete his brace in a 3-1 win.
Miami will now aim to seal their place in the next round when they travel to Nashville for Game 2 next Saturday.
Messi rounded the MLS regular season off in style on Saturday, notching up three goals and an assist in the Herons’ 5-2 win over Nashville.
The hat trick gives the Argentina star an edge in the race for the league’s Golden Boot; the 38-year-old is now five goals ahead of MLS’s second-leading scorer, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.
He opened the scoring in the 35th minute, netting from outside the box to give Miami a 1-0 lead. The visitors then slipped 2-1 behind before Messi leveled things from the spot.
Messi completed his hat trick — the second time he’s scored a treble in MLS — with a left-footed shot from the center of the box in the 81st minute to extend Miami’s lead to 4-2. Telasco Segovia added a fifth Inter Miami goal a minute into stoppage to cement the 5-2 win.
Messi’s decision to briefly leave international duty to play for Miami proved to be a fruitful one on Saturday, with the 38-year-old notching two goals and an assist in the Herons’ 4-0 win over Atlanta.
Messi scored the first goal of the night, curling the ball into the top left corner for his 25th MLS goal of the season.
The club captain then set up longtime teammate Jordi Alba for the second goal of the game, as the defender looped a shot over the head of Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.
Luis Suárez volleyed in Miami’s third goal of the night in the 61st minute with an exquisite right-footed strike from the top of the penalty area, before Messi added his second in the dying minutes to finish off the scoring.
Messi could rejoin the Argentina national team for the upcoming friendly match Tuesday night against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, with Scaloni remaining hopeful of his participation.
“Let’s hope Messi can be there on Tuesday,” Scaloni said Friday. “We’ll see how things unfold in the coming days.”
Inter Miami cruised to a comfortable win against the Revs, and Messi assisted on the first three goals for Inter Miami.
With that, Messi has reached 40+ goal contributions in a single league season for the first time since he had 46 in the 2019-20 LaLiga season. (It’s worth noting that MLS does count secondary assists, meaning two players can earn an assist on the same goal.)
Messi joins Carlos Vela as the only players with 40+ goal contributions in a single MLS regular-season.
No goals or assists for Messi as Inter Miami lost to the Chicago Fire, who clinched their spot in the MLS playoffs on the road at Chase Stadium.
No goals or assists for Messi as Inter Miami suffered a blow in their hopes of winning back-to-back Supporters’ Shields after a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC.
Messi had scored five of Miami’s 10 goals in its three previous wins but he was frustrated at BMO Field as he failed to find the net, despite having six shots, four of them on target.
Messi was instrumental in Miami’s crucial victory over NYCFC on Wednesday night, bagging two goals and an assist in the 4-0 rout.
The win secured the Herons a playoff berth, and catapulted them over Pascal Jansen’s side and into third place in the MLS Eastern Conference, five points behind the Philadelphia Union and with two games in hand.
Messi teed up Baltazar Rodriguez to fire in Miami’s opener in the 43rd minute, before getting on the scoresheet himself in the 74th minute with a delightful dink over NYCFC keeper Matthew Freese.
Luis Suarez scored Miami’s third from the penalty spot, before Messi rounded off proceedings in the 86th minute — slaloming through the hosts defense before firing low into the bottom corner.
The MLS Supporters Shield remains in Inter Miami’s sights thanks to yet another vintage performance from Messi, this time against struggling D.C. United.
The Argentine star had a hand in all three goals as the Herons strengthened their position among the Eastern Conference playoff pack.
Messi’s brace also moved him above Nashville’s Sam Surridge and to the top of MLS’ scoring charts with 22 goals. Messi also has 12 assists in his 22 MLS games so far this season.
Messi got Miami’s push into the MLS postseason back on track with a starring role in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Sounders.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker registered a goal and an assist to push the Herons into fifth in the MLS East table, with three games in hand on all four of the teams above them.
Messi assisted a wide open Jordi Alba with an outside-of-the-foot pass in the 12th minute to give the Herons early command, before Alba returned the favor in the 41st minute, assisting a darting Messi who got just enough of a touch to make it 2-0.
“I’m always looking for him, he’s always looking for me. We’ve created a lot of goals and we hope it’s like that until the end of our careers,” Alba said of his former Barça teammate.
It was an off night for Inter Miami superstar Messi as he missed a penalty for the first time since 2022 against Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Messi was given a chance to score his 20th goal of the MLS season in the 32nd minute at Bank of America Stadium after a VAR review determined he had been fouled in the penalty box by Charlotte’s Djibril Diani.
Full of confidence after scoring two goals in Argentina’s recent win over Venezuela, Messi stepped up and tried a delicate Panenka chip down the middle. But Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina stood tall and stretched out a hand to deny the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
It capped off a rough night for Messi and Co., as the Herons slipped to a chastening 3-0 defeat that leaves them seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Things didn’t go to plan for Messi and Co. on Sunday, getting thumped 3-0 by the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final in front of a sold-out Lumen Field.
Messi helped the Herons lift the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023, but the third edition of the tournament between MLS and Liga MX has been secured by the Sounders thanks to goals from Osaze De Rosario, Alex Roldan and Paul Rothrock.
Inter Miami talisman Messi had the chance to level the scores in the 50th minute, but blasted a close-range shot over the crossbar from a spot he rarely misses from.
While Messi’s miss was surprising, his teammate Tadeo Allende’s was shocking, somehow shooting wide of the goal with only Seattle keeper Andy Thomas to beat as Miami chased an equaliser in the second half.
Time to add another two goals to the highlight reel! Messi shook off a “minor” muscle injury in his right leg to come up clutch and score a brace in Miami’s 3-1 Leagues Cup semifinal win over Orlando City on Wednesday night at Chase Stadium.
The Argentina star initially returned from injury when playing 45 minutes against the LA Galaxy on Aug. 16, recording one goal and an assist before finding himself on the sidelines once again for an additional week.
The injury didn’t, however, look apparent on Wednesday as the 38-year-old struck twice: first from the penalty spot, before sensationally scoring the Herons’ go-ahead goal in the 88th minute. Superb.
Messi made an emphatic impact on his return from injury, scoring a brilliant individual strike and then providing a sensational assist for Luis Suárez to propel Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over LA Galaxy on Saturday.
After missing two weeks due a muscle injury in his right leg, Messi made his return off the bench as a half-time substitute at Chase Stadium. And with Miami being held 1-1 going into the final 10 minutes, it was the Argentine World Cup winner who stepped up to keep Miami firmly in the running to retain the Supporters’ Shield.
First, in the 84th minute, Messi picked up the ball midway inside the opposition half before, in trademark fashion, slaloming around a defender and from the edge of the penalty area picking out the bottom corner of the net with his wand of a left foot.
More eye-popping magic was soon to follow. This time Messi played creator, meeting a fizzed pass from Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul with a sumptuous flick of his heel to find Suárez running in behind to finish.
It was a short and frustrating night for Messi, who lasted just 11 minutes before an injury forced him off the pitch. The Argentine star went down after a challenge involving Necaxa’s Raúl Sánchez and Alexis Peña while driving into the box, slamming the pitch in frustration as he hit the ground.
Messi tried to shake it off and continue, but after a brief attempt to play on, he signaled for medical help and was substituted by Federico Redondo. Despite the setback, Miami pulled through, edging Necaxa 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time in their second Leagues Cup match.
Messi’s never-say-die attitude was on full display in Miami’s 2-1 victory over Liga MX side Atlas on Wednesday in the Leagues Cup.
The Argentine was returning to action after serving a one-game suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game last week, and laid on two second-half goals — including a late winner — to inspire his side to the win.
“I feel good physically the more matches I play and get into rhythm,” he said after the match.
“The other day they didn’t let me compete, and I felt it in the first half, but the important thing is that we won.”
Messi’s blank against Cincinnati was clearly a blip as the Argentinian maestro once again turned in a superlative performance, this time against New York Red Bulls.
The 38-year-old was nigh unstoppable as the Herons romped to a 5-1 win on Saturday night, registering two goals and two assists.
“Leo Messi, Michael Jordan, Rafa Nadal, these are people that have transcended the sport,” lauded Miami boss Javier Mascherano after the match. “We are very privileged the people that are close and can witness this.”
Messi’s scoring streak comes to an end as Inter Miami’s five-game league win streak is snapped with a loss away to Pat Noonan’s FC Cincinnati side.
It was Evander who stole the spotlight with a brace, seemingly inspired by Messi’s recent run of consecutive goals. Meanwhile, an unwanted streak lingers for the Argentine, who remains goalless against Cincinnati since joining Miami.
Is there anyone more dangerous on a free kick from just outside the box than Messi?
The star forward went low and around the wall to score the opening goal against Nashville at home. That made it six straight MLS games Messi has scored in, one shy of his seven-game MLS scoring streak between February and May 2024. It was also his sixth career direct free kick goal in all competitions as an Inter Miami player.
Messi proceeded to add another goal to the highlight reel, this time displaying his uncanny anticipation. He intercepted Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis’ pass and calmly finished past a sprawling defender, extending his MLS record to five straight multigoal games. It proved to be the winning goal for Inter Miami against one of the top teams in the league.
Watching a master at his craft never gets old.
More history for Messi as he added yet another record to his legendary career as Miami faced the New England Revolution in Massachusetts.
The Argentine scored twice, reaching 20 goals this season under Mascherano and setting a new league milestone in the process. With his brace, Messi became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four consecutive league matches.
Not bad for a 38-year-old, especially one who also netted the 870th goal of his career in the same game.
In Miami’s first match since their round of 16 elimination against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, all eyes were on Messi as Javier Mascherano’s side shifted its focus back to the MLS regular season.
Things got off to a rocky start for the Argentine, as a misplaced pass in the second minute allowed an unmarked Prince Owusu to intercept the ball at the top of the box and score Montreal’s only goal of the match.
But Messi quickly took control as he set up Tadeo Allende’s equalizer before finding the net himself to give Miami a 2-1 lead at half-time.
In the second half, Messi delivered the moment of the match with a dazzling solo goal that saw him collect the ball in midfield, go through multiple Montreal defenders, and unleash a powerful shot into the top corner. Mascherano’s side ran out 4-1 winners, with Messi once again at the heart of it all.
Messi faced his former club for the first time in his professional career. A rare occasion, given he’s only played for three club teams. The matchup against defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain — now coached by his former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique — was always going to be a daunting task for Miami as they sought a place in the Club World Cup quarterfinals.
But things unraveled quickly. PSG scored all four goals in the first half, extinguishing any hopes of an upset and knocking Javier Mascherano’s side out of the tournament in Atlanta. Despite Messi’s presence, he could do little more than watch as his team crashed out.
With their Club World Cup run abruptly ended, Inter Miami now turns its attention to the MLS regular season and the Leagues Cup for the rest of the year.
On the eve of his 38th birthday, Messi stepped onto the pitch in Miami knowing that a win over Brazilian giants Palmeiras would crown Inter Miami as Group A winners at the Club World Cup.
Though Messi had a relatively quiet game, Miami jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez. But in the final 10 minutes, Palmeiras clawed back with two late goals to snatch a 2-2 draw, enough to top the group on goal difference and relegate Miami to second place.
As the final whistle blew and his birthday approached, Messi received his gift: a blockbuster round of 16 clash against the reigning UEFA Champions League winners — and his former club — Paris Saint-Germain, on June 29 in Atlanta.
In a must-win match for Javier Mascherano’s side to boost their chances of advancing from their Club World Cup group, Inter Miami faced Porto in Atlanta, with both teams coming off scoreless draws in their openers.
The Portuguese club struck first, with Samu Omorodion converting a penalty to put Miami under pressure. But the comeback was on in the second half. Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia leveled the match, and just seven minutes later, the winner was delivered by you-know-who.
Messi curled in a stunning free kick — his 50th goal for Inter Miami — sealing a 2-1 victory and lifting the MLS side to four points after two games. They now sit level with Palmeiras, their next opponent in the final group stage clash to decide who will advance to the round of 16.
It was an inauspicious start for Messi and Miami as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Egyptian side Al Ahly in in Saturday’s Club World Cup opener.
Messi threatened at times after spending some time on the ground after being hit on the knee, but was unable to break the deadlock. He came closest in the dying seconds of the match when his curled strike from outside the box was tipped onto the bar by Al Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Chalk up another record for the maestro!
Messi turned in an almost flawless performance as the Herons routed the Columbus Crew 5-1 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday.
The Argentina icon had a hand in every one of Miami’s goals — notching up two goals and three assists — and, in the process, broke Gonzalo Higuain’s record for the most league goals in franchise history. Maravilloso.
Messi and Luis Suárez both finished with two goals and an assist as Inter Miami thumped Montreal 4-2 on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The victory heralded a return to form for Miami, securing their second win in nine matches is what has been somewhat of a horror streak for the Herons. It also snapped a four-match winless streak in league play to move up to sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Messi delivered his first goal in the 27th minute when Sergio Busquets dropped the ball to him near the box. The World Cup winner worked the ball to the top of the box and fired a long distance shot past Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The Argentine master then turned provider, assisting Suarez’s first goal by controlling possession at the byline, drawing a defender, before looping a ball to a wide-open Suarez in front of goal.
Messi then ended Montreal’s slim hopes of a comeback when he fired a close-range shot into the back of the net off a precise cross from Suarez in the 87th minute.
Messi rolled back the clock with a vintage showing late in Miami’s 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.
With the Herons down 3-1 with just three minutes of regular time remaining, the Argentina legend stepped up to the plate and rescued a point for his side.
Messi got Miami back into the match with a signature curled free kick in the 87th minute to get the score to 3-2. He then assisted Telasco Segovia’s 95th-minute equalizer. Sumptuous stuff.
Orlando handed Messi and Co. their fifth loss in the last seven games on Sunday night.
The Herons slumped to a listless 3-0 defeat thanks to goals from Luis Muriel, Marco Pasalic and Dagur Thórhallsson — causing Messi to speak out after the game.
“[We need to] keep going. It’s a complicated time,” he told Apple TV.
“But we’ll all stay united. We’re a team in difficult times, because when everyone wins, it’s easy, but now that difficult times are coming, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and move forward, because we have what it takes.
“Think about what’s next and prepare for the next game.”
In an entertaining game on the West Coast that saw Miami come back twice, the Argentine superstar was mainly quiet on the pitch (outside of some refereeing controversy) while his teammates, Jordi Alba and Tadeo Allende, were both the main stars in a 3-3 draw.
The ex-Barca man got two assists, whereas Messi’s compatriot appeared on the scoresheet twice. Miami will now head back home to play in an all-Florida derby against Orlando City SC on Sunday.
The opposite of last week happened for Miami as they lost by the same scoreline they won against the Red Bulls, losing to the Loons 4-1.
Messi got on the scoresheet to score his 10th goal of the season in all competitions for Javier Mascherano’s side, but he also got another unwanted record. This loss is now the largest margin of defeat (three goals) in a game Messi has played for in all competitions since joining Inter Miami.
Miami are still in fourth in the Eastern Conference, ahead of a midweek trip to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday.
Miami bounced back from its Concacaf Champions Cup elimination midweek with a comprehensive 4-1 win over NYRB on Saturday.
Messi was the final player to get on the scoresheet, firing an unstoppable left-footed strike from the center of the box following a one-two with Telasco Segovia midway through the second half.
The result left Miami fourth in the Eastern Conference, ahead of a trip to face Minnesota United in a week’s time.
Messi and Co.’s quest to lift the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup is over after 5-1 aggregate shellacking at the hands of Jesper Sørensen’s Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Argentina legend was held goalless for the fourth straight match as the Herons bowed out of the competition.
Miami also dropped its third straight match, the first time the team has lost that many in a row in the Messi era.
The dry streak continues for the Argentine as he was unable to help his side defeat the Canadian club in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal tie, losing 2-0 at BC Place.
The return leg will be at Chase Stadium on Apr. 30.
Inter Miami continues its unbeaten run in MLS, as Benjamin Cremaschi scored the only goal of the game to give Javier Mascherano’s team all three points in Ohio.
Messi played the full 90 minutes but yet again was unable to contribute with a goal or assist. However, thanks to this win, Inter Miami are now the last unbeaten team in MLS this season and also go provisionally top of the Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and Chicago’s Chris Brady both emerged with their first clean sheets of the MLS season on Sunday.
Messi played the full 90 minutes but was unable to conjure up a goal, leaving Miami fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference after seven games.
Wednesday’s match started ominously for Messi and Co. after Aaron Long’s ninth-minute strike had 2-0 up on aggregate in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal. Was this the first competition of the year that the Argentina legend and his team would bow out of?
Not likely.
Messi wound back the clock with the type of performance that will no doubt go down in Herons folklore. Registering two goals and an assist, Messi almost single-handedly dragged Miami through to the semifinals.
The 37-year-old started the rally in the 35th minute, getting loose near the top of the 18-yard box and scoring with his left foot to tie the match at 1-1 and giving the hosts some hope. It was then Messi’s feed that allowed Noah Allen to bring Miami level on aggregate in the 61st minute, before stepping up and dispatching the clincher with a penalty kick in the 84th minute.
Wonderous stuff.
Messi’s 40th goal across all competitions since joining Inter Miami — the franchise record — helped the Herons to 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Sunday.
His strike came on the eve of half-time, bringing the hosts back level in the match after Federico Bernardeschi opened the scoring for Toronto just a minute earlier.
The Argentine legend collected a swift pass from Telasco Segovia before firing on the half-turn from 18-yeards out. Another clinical finish from Messi.
A rare blank from the Argentine as LAFC sealed a first-leg advantage against Messi and Co. in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
The return leg will be played at Chase Stadium on April 9.
Messi may have missed a few games for Miami — and two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina — with an adductor injury, but the 37-year-old made an immediate impact against the Union on Saturday night.
After being subbed-on in the 55th minute, the Herons ace only need 120 seconds before putting the ball in the back of the net. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took a pass from Suárez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two Philadelphia defenders into the net to give Miami an unassailable two-goal lead.
Messi struck for the first time in the 2025 MLS regular season in a dramatic, late 2-1 victory at Atlanta United FC on Sunday.
Messi’s goal came in the 20th minute of just his second regular season appearance for Miami, dispossessing Bartosz Slisz before weaving his way past the Atlanta defence, and then deftly chipping keeper Brad Guzan.
Miami got the better of Sporting KC on Tuesday in what is fast becoming one of Messi’s favorite competitions.
The Argentine maestro scored the opening goal in the 3-1 win, meaning that he has now scored or assisted in all five Concacaf Champions Cup matches that he has played in his career (four goals, two assists).
It was a tally straight from the annals of soccer history too, with Luis Suárez crossing the ball for Messi to control and then fire home. How many times have we seen that!?
It might not have been the result Miami wanted to open the MLS season, but Messi started right where he left off last campaign; laying on two assists for his teammates in Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
The first came from a well-worked routine that ended with Messi squaring the ball for Tomás Avilés to tap-in in the fifth minute. The second was even better, pushing a perfectly weighted through-ball past the NYCFC defence and into the path of Telasco Segovia, who chipped the ball over an onrushing Matthew Freese and into the net — levelling the scores and salvaging a point for the hosts a full 10 minutes into stoppage-time.
Messi’s 2025 campaign kicked off in the Concacaf Champions Cup in Kansas City on Wednesday night in truly frigid conditions, with temperatures dipping down to 3 degrees Fahrenheit. From mittens to leggings to snoods, exposed skin was a rare sight on the Children’s Mercy Park pitch.
The former Barcelona legend nearly got onto the score sheet in the eighth minute with a clever pass for Suárez, whose awkward attempt scuffed wide of the far post. Considering the Uruguay international’s clinical finishing, it was a surprise that the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net.
Keeping Messi off the board proved a task too tall for Sporting, though. In the 56th minute, the Herons’ No. 10 chested down a lofted ball from Sergio Busquets, took two touches and tucked a precise shot just inside the far post to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
That’s all Inter would need, though, as they took a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Round 1 tie, claiming a crucial away goal in the process.