Messi Does It Again: Inter Miami Captain Claims Second Straight Goal of the Matchday

Lionel Messi secured his second consecutive AT&T Goal of the Matchday award after delivering another spectacular long-range strike that brought fans at Chase Stadium to their feet. The Argentine star took Matchday 16 honors with 53.6% of the fan vote after his stunning 27th-minute strike that helped drive Inter Miami to a crucial 4-2 win over CF Montréal on Wednesday night.

Messi received possession well beyond the penalty area before taking a single touch and unleashing a signature left-footed shot that curved past the Montréal defense and beyond goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. The opener set the foundation for an impressive display from both Messi and strike partner Luis Suárez. 

This type of match-winning performance often attracts significant attention from fans who follow MLS matches and monitor betting markets through offshore sportsbooks, as such individual brilliance can shift both game momentum and wagering odds (source: https://readwrite.com/gambling/betting/offshore-sportsbooks/).

The victory represented more than another brilliant individual moment for Messi. His performance earned him his first MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra recognition of the 2025 season after recording two goals and one assist that demonstrated his continued excellence. His three-goal contributions pushed him past the 50 regular-season goal contribution mark for Inter Miami, making him the first player in club history to hit that number with 29 goals and 21 assists in only 37 games.

Miami required this caliber of performance from their captain. The Herons had endured a difficult stretch, failing to win any of their previous four MLS matches and going six contests without victory across all competitions before Wednesday’s breakthrough. The team went into the match sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference table, far from the dominant performance they showed during their historic 2024 Supporters’ Shield run.

Suárez was the perfect partner for Messi’s brilliance and scored two goals plus one assist on the night. The Uruguayan striker has built a remarkable connection with his former Barcelona teammate, and their understanding showed throughout the match. Suárez netted his opener after Messi delivered a perfect cross, then found his second goal when he took advantage of a defensive mistake.

Manager Javier Mascherano commended both veterans following the contest, highlighting how their experience and skill can alter momentum when Miami needs it most. The Argentine coach has worked to rebuild the identity that made Miami so formidable last season, and displays such as this suggest the team may be discovering its best form at an opportune moment.

Competition for the Goal of the Matchday proved particularly fierce this week. Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz claimed second place with 37.6% of votes for his thunderous effort that ricocheted off the post before beating Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. New York Red Bulls forward Mohammed Sofo earned third with 4.7% after scoring his third goal in consecutive matches, while D.C. United’s Gabriel Pirani finished fourth following his powerful strike against New England.

None of those attempts matched the technical quality and situational importance of Messi’s contribution. The strike showed classic Messi elements: his spatial awareness with the first touch, the perfect trajectory of his shot, and the precise moment that gave his team exactly what they needed.

This recognition adds to another outstanding campaign for the 37-year-old attacker. Even though he missed time earlier this season due to what Mascherano called “fatigue,” Messi has returned to peak performance levels. He currently has eight goals and three assists in MLS competition this season and remains on pace for another exceptional statistical year. The moment proves perfect for Inter Miami as they face important upcoming matches, such as Saturday’s encounter with the Columbus Crew.