Even without Lionel Messi’s name on the scoresheet, Inter Miami’s maturity may have been the biggest takeaway from their recent MLS victory.
In a game that tested patience as much as quality, Miami found an answer late, relying on Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez to cruise to a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
For Messi, the subsequent reaction reflected a broader change in mindset. Rather than focusing on individual brilliance, the Argentine emphasized the collective effort behind the result.
Messi wrote a succinct message on Instagram: “Great teamwork and two consecutive away wins,” underscoring the importance of back-to-back road wins under interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos.
The result keeps Miami firmly in Eastern Conference contention, and it has been on a roll since Hoyos took over following the departure of Javier Mascherano. It also suggests the team will be less reliant on its most famous players.
Messi remains the centerpiece of everything Miami has produced, playing the full game and putting in a typically influential performance. He recorded four shots on target, created three chances and consistently set the tempo, even when he was denied by goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.
Miami found a breakthrough late on and patience was rewarded.
For a long time it felt like the match might descend into frustration. Real Salt Lake, undefeated in six games prior to kickoff, absorbed the pressure and limited their chances of clearing despite Miami’s dominance.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute. De Paul, who is trusted alongside Messi in the Argentina national team, stepped up with split-second precision and curled a shot past Cabral to take the lead.
“It was a beautiful goal. As long as it helps the team, that’s great,” De Paul said after the game, underscoring the collective focus that has characterized Miami’s recent form.
The lead lasted just two minutes before Suarez added a second goal. The 39-year-old forward was still able to make a decisive contribution, reacting to a loose ball on the edge of the area and calmly scoring a left-footed volley to seal the victory.
The late double not only secured the three points, but also ended Real Salt Lake’s undefeated streak and strengthened Miami’s credentials as one of the league’s most in-form teams.
A different kind of Messi influence is showing.
While Messi’s statistical achievements continue to garner attention, performances like this highlight a more subtle evolution in his role. With 57 goals and 37 assists in just 61 MLS appearances, he remains on track to challenge Sebastian Giovinco’s record for fastest contribution to 100 goals, which currently stands at 95 games.
But this match brought something different. Miami showed they can win without relying on Messi to provide decisive moments, a development that could be crucial throughout a tough season.
The broader context only strengthens that story. Miami has responded well to early-season setbacks and is currently sitting near the top of the standings, with the team starting to share responsibility in key moments.
For Messi, that balance could be the key to sustained success. His influence remains undeniable, but Miami’s attacking threat becomes much less predictable when teammates like De Paul and Suarez come forward.
If this performance is any indication, Inter Miami’s greatest strength is no longer just having Messi, and they may be at the point where they no longer need him to do everything.
