Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists when Inter Miami signed for the Club World Cup by trounging the Columbus Crew with 5-1 in MLS on Saturday.
Miami came into back-to-back victories, after a 4-2 midweek success against CF Montreal broke a winless run of four games for the supporters' Shield Holders.
The first involvement of Messi came in the 13th minute when he kept a quick free kick on the backline of Columbus for colleague Argentinian Tadeo Allende to chase. Allende kept his cool from the right side of the area and stayed in the far corner to lead Miami.
Only two minutes later Messi had his own goal. He intercepted a quirky pass from Nicholas Hagen and went for a daring lob, and although the retreating crew goalkeeper got a touch in the ball, he could not prevent it from crossing the line.
Messi got his brace with a different muted finish in the 24th minute and easily hit Hagen after locking Sergio Busquets' Lofted Pass.
After Luis Suarez missed two big chances to further expand Miami's lead, replacement Cesar Ruvalcaba retired for visitors in the second half, on the way to the corner of Dylan Chambost.
But Miami put down their foot again to pull clearly. Messi was involved in their fourth goal in the 64th minute, but did not get the assist and found Telasco Segovia, who in turn went up Suarez for an near-post finish.
And with a popping interruption time, Messi created a fifth goal for Miami with a beautiful through ballet, allowing Fafa Picault to race clearly and cut off his finish under hedges.
Set up a show in Zuid -Florida.
Messi to Pickault and it's 5-1 for the hosts. pic.twitter.com/IMEVDINSW
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) 1 June 2025
The victory increases Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, with their next assignment the opening match of the Club World Cup, versus al Ahly on 14 June.
Data debrief: Allround sparkle of Messi
Miami – and Messi – are planning to take the upcoming club World Cup seriously, and they are warmed up for the renewed tournament with a statement -winning on Saturday.
Messi had two or more goals and two or more assists in the same game for the 13th time in his club career, and the first since October 2022.
On that occasion he had two goals and two assists for Paris Saint-Germain in a 7-2 Champions League group phase Rout from Maccabi Haifa.
He has also achieved that performance 11 times for Barcelona, ​​with eight times two goals and two assists, and three goals and two assists at three times.
Messi is now a maximum of 15 goals involvement at MLS this year (10 goals, five assists), most of each player in the competition.