FORT LAUDERDALE - Lionel Messi scored twice Saturday in his Inter Miami return, just four days after recording 1 goal and 2 assists against Benin in the final match of his Argentina career, giving the Herons a badly needed victory and keeping their Eastern Conference playoff position intact.
The brace pushed Messi’s 2026 MLS season total to 23 goals and 13 assists, putting the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner four tallies clear of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa atop the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. Seeking his second consecutive Golden Boot title, Messi is also in position to become the first player to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award three consecutive times.
Luis Suárez matched his teammate’s intensity, with the Uruguayan legend now at 15 goals and 9 assists on the season - his third straight year with 10 or more goals and 20 or more goal contributions. Head coach Cristian “Kily” González left no ambiguity about Suárez’s standing on the roster. “Luis is one of the most important players on the squad,” González said. “He’s totally committed, not only to us but to the club. Anybody who didn’t understand before should understand now that he’s a fundamental player for this team.”
The result was as much about survival as celebration. Inter Miami had managed just one win in 10 games heading into the September/October international break, a stretch that threatened to unravel González’s tenure as head coach. Saturday’s performance steadied the club, keeping them in the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference behind Supporters’ Shield leader Nashville SC and avoiding a potential slide to fifth.
“I think we defended very well; we were very decisive and scored in the right moments,” González said. “I think we could’ve scored more goals, so I’m satisfied.”
Inter Miami will look to win back-to-back games for the first time since July when they host New York City FC on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. Six regular-season games remain after that for the Herons to strengthen their conference standing before the postseason.