Messi ends goal drought as Inter Miami cruise to victory

Lionel Messi had gone four matches without scoring, but the Argentine legend emphatically ended his brief goal drought in Inter Miami’s commanding 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

It was a performance that reminded fans of his enduring brilliance, even as questions had begun to emerge about his recent lack of direct goal involvement.

The match, played in front of a packed crowd at DRV PNK Stadium, showcased Inter Miami at their most fluid and dangerous. From the opening whistle, the team played with urgency and flair, clearly eager to put recent underwhelming results behind them. Within the first 45 minutes, the game was essentially decided.

Fafa Picault opened the scoring with a sharp finish inside the area, getting on the end of a quick combination play. Marcelo Weigandt, the energetic Argentine full-back, doubled the lead shortly after with a well-timed header from a set-piece. Then came a moment of vintage class from Luis Suárez, who found the net with a calm and clinical finish following a slick passing sequence. The scoreline read 3-0, and the Red Bulls were struggling to respond.

Just before halftime, however, former Bayern Munich striker Érick Choupo-Moting gave the visitors a glimmer of hope. A rare lapse in Miami’s defensive shape allowed the Cameroonian forward to pounce and reduce the deficit to 3-1. It was a reminder that the match wasn’t over at least not yet.

But if there was any remaining suspense, Messi ended it midway through the second half with a moment of sheer brilliance. Picking up a loose ball at the edge of the box, he took a quick glance at the goal and unleashed a thunderous half-volley that rocketed into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. It was the kind of goal that only Messi could produce powerful, precise, and perfectly timed.

The goal was more than just a statistic. It was a statement a message that even at 36, Messi remains a decisive figure in any match he plays. The stadium erupted in celebration, with fans chanting his name as he was embraced by teammates. It was his seventh goal of the MLS season, and it came at a critical time for a team looking to maintain momentum in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.

The strike also put an end to a rare four-game stretch without a Messi goal a period that included the MLS fixture against Real Salt Lake, where he contributed two assists, and friendlies against Newell’s Old Boys, Vissel Kobe, and Al Nassr, in which he was either quiet or barely featured due to limited minutes.

After the match, Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino praised his star forward’s ability to bounce back. "Leo never stops working. Even when he doesn’t score, his presence changes the game. But today he got his reward and what a goal it was," said Martino.

Messi himself looked relaxed and content after the game, taking time to greet fans and sign shirts before heading to the locker room. The Argentine appears to be building rhythm again, which is promising news for Inter Miami as they approach the busiest stretch of the season.

With Messi back on the scoresheet, Luis Suárez continuing to deliver up front, and the midfield showing increased cohesion, Inter Miami now look like genuine title contenders. Their next matches will be key to solidifying their position at the top of the table, and with Messi in this kind of form, few would bet against them continuing their ascent.