Lionel Messi Brace Lifts Inter Miami Over Montreal

Lionel Messi wasted no time reminding Major League Soccer why he remains the sport’s biggest attraction, firing a brace to lead Inter Miami to an emphatic 4-1 away win over CF Montreal. The Argentine icon played the full 90 minutes, and after the final whistle assistant coach Javier Mascherano insisted that, “Leo is happiest when he’s playing football.”

Messi Magic Sets the Tone

The opening exchanges belonged to Lionel Messi, who drifted between the lines and dictated tempo from the first kick. His first goal arrived inside 18 minutes: a quick one-two with Benjamin Cremaschi split the Montreal back four, allowing Messi to curl a left-footed shot into the top corner beyond Jonathan Sirois. With that strike, he moved to 11 goals on the season.

Montreal pulled level briefly through Prince Osei Owusu, but parity lasted barely six minutes. Messi spotted Tadeo Allende’s run behind the defense and delivered a trademark lofted pass; Allende’s looping header restored Miami’s lead at 2-1. Messi’s influence in transition and combination play kept the Canadian outfit chasing shadows throughout the half.

Inter Miami Turn the Screw

After the break, Montreal attempted to press higher, yet the presence of Lionel Messi continued to stretch their shape. In the 58th minute, right-back DeAndre Yedlin surged forward and found Messi at the top of the box. One deft touch later, the captain slid the ball to Telasco Segovia, who rifled home Miami’s third.

Messi completed his brace in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive mishap to slam home from close range. That finish took him to 12 goals in just 11 league appearances, while also pushing Inter Miami to 32 points and sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Mascherano Defends Full-Match Decision

Questions arose pre-match about managing minutes amid a congested calendar. Yet Mascherano, speaking for absent head coach Tata Martino, was unequivocal: “Lionel Messi lives for moments like these. Keeping him on the pitch benefits both the team and the supporters who travel miles to see him.”

Fitness data from Miami’s sports science staff reportedly showed Messi at peak readiness. The player himself waved away suggestions of fatigue in the mixed zone: “If I feel good, I want to play. Simple as that.”

Impact on the MLS Playoff Picture

The victory propels Inter Miami into striking distance of second-place Columbus, with games in hand. A league-leading goals-scored tally underscores their attacking prowess, anchored by Lionel Messi’s creativity and ruthlessness in the final third.

CF Montreal, meanwhile, slide to 11th. Manager Hernán Losada conceded his side “paid the price for switching off whenever Messi drifted into half-spaces.” Montreal now faces a must-win Canadian Championship tie to salvage momentum.

Stat Sheet Highlights

• Possession: Montreal 46% – 54% Inter Miami
• Shots on target: Montreal 4 – 9 Inter Miami
• Lionel Messi: 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 key passes
• Expected goals (xG): Montreal 0.9 – 2.7 Inter Miami

Lionel Messi’s Ever-Growing MLS Footprint

With every match, Lionel Messi further engrains himself in MLS folklore. Sponsorship activations spike whenever the Herons travel, and league broadcasters reported record subscriptions to the MLS Season Pass ahead of this fixture. Merchandise sales at Saputo Stadium featured as many pink Miami shirts as blue Montreal kits, illustrating the Messi effect on road revenue.

Upcoming Fixtures

Inter Miami return home to face the New England Revolution next weekend, while Montreal shift focus to a mid-week cup semi-final. Miami’s coaching staff hinted at potential rotation, yet Lionel Messi’s competitive fire means benching him is never straightforward.

What This Means for the Herons

Beyond the points haul, the chemistry between Messi, Allende, and Segovia bodes well for the club’s Supporters’ Shield ambitions. Defensive lapses persist, but as long as Lionel Messi orchestrates from the front, Miami can outscore almost anyone.

Short Opinion

From a neutral perspective, Mascherano’s decision feels less a gamble and more a statement: Messi’s minutes are measured not by sports-science algorithms but by the joy he brings to every touch. Protecting players is vital, yet in Messi’s case, shackling genius may prove the greater risk.