Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance in MLS, scoring one goal and providing three assists in a high-pressure environment in the conference semifinal against Cincinnati.
He was Man of the Match and led his team to a historic conference final for the club, reaffirming that his influence extends beyond just the final quarter of the pitch to the entire opposition area. He’s not just a finisher, he’s also a natural playmaker and assister.
Messi and company advance to conference finals | Cincinnati 0-4 Inter Miami | Highlights and goals | MLS
Messi reaches 1,300 goal contributions
While Cristiano Ronaldo is approaching the record number of 1,000 goals, Messi already boasts 1,300 goals and assists, a number that is more important to many specialists.
In a world of soccer accustomed to measuring greatness by goals, Messi broke that rule. His current tally of 896 goals and 404 assists not only defines the team, but also provides a complete picture of the players who build, interpret and play with the team.
What was witnessed at TQL Stadium is clear evidence of that. Three accurate assists and a header that gave Inter Miami a much-awaited conference final.
Leo Messi shines in the conference semifinals
The herons had a perfect night. The game tilted in Herons’ favor after 19 minutes when Messi converted a cross from Matteo Silvetti at 0-1.
The second half was an assist party for Leo Messi. In the 57th minute, the Argentine star assisted Silvetti with a wall pass through the lines, and just five minutes later he led Silvetti into a clean counter-attack and scored again to make it 0-3.
In the end, Messi made a precise pass that left Taddeo Allende alone in the area, past the goalkeeper, and sealed the deciding goal.
Miami’s first conference final
After six seasons, this was Leo Messi’s third season wearing pink as Inter Miami reached the conference finals. They have never made it this far in MLS, but now with Messi in MVP mode, this club is confirmed as the team to beat in this tournament. The opponent will be determined by a matchup between the Philadelphia Union and NYCFC, which will determine whether Miami will travel on the road or host the finals at home.
Inter Miami’s growth in this sport is fully consistent with the influence of the ’10’. It is no coincidence that since his arrival, Herons has gone from an occasional project to a regular candidate. Even without Luis Suarez on the field, Cincinnati’s debacle confirms that this project already has an identity beyond its name on the team.
