Lionel Messi scored his sixth goal of the MLS season in as many appearances to pull level with the league’s top scorers on Saturday night. He has now had at least one goal or assist in all nine of the matches he has played across all competitions this season.
It had to be him.
Messi with his sixth goal in six matches to pull @InterMiamiCF level! pic.twitter.com/DjFaFEQxY1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2024
The opening minutes of Inter Miami’s match against Nashville SC on Saturday was a microcosm of the Inter Miami experience. Nashville opened the scoring in just the third minute when Alex Muyl scored off a corner kick — the first time Nashville has scored from a set piece this season. They very nearly added a second goal moments later, but Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was able to recover after a shot smacked the bottom of the crossbar. Messi then equalized in the 11th minute, and almost had a second shortly after, but his shot hit the post.
It was a quick payoff for the Messi fans who traveled from Australia to Fort Lauderdale, Florida just to see him.
Australia ➡️ South Florida.
Dedication to see the goat, Messi. 🐐
Watch @InterMiamiCF take on @NashvilleSC at 7:30pm ET with #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/fjcF1Wj56B pic.twitter.com/Bm2LxkaRLD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2024
Messi has six goals and five assists in MLS play so far this season. He leads the league in goal contributions even though a hamstring injury has allowed him to play in just six of Miami’s 10 league matches so far.
(Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)