Lionel Messi Scores Twice for Inter Miami in First Game Since Argentina Farewell

Lionel Messi marked his return to Inter Miami with a brace as the club defeated D.C. United 4-0 in Major League Soccer on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Playing his first match since bringing his Argentina international career to an emotional close, the 39-year-old scored twice in the second half after Luis Suárez had netted two first-half goals. The victory ended Miami’s five-match winless run and took Messi’s league-leading tally to 23 goals this season.

Messi Returns From International Farewell With Two Goals

Lionel Messi wasted little time making headlines again after his emotional farewell to Argentina, scoring twice to help Inter Miami secure a commanding 4-0 victory over D.C. United.

The Argentine forward played the full 90 minutes on Saturday night, 10 October, in his first appearance for the MLS club since representing his country for the final time. His return to club football produced the kind of performance Miami supporters have come to expect, with two second-half goals completing an emphatic victory.

Messi’s international farewell had taken place four days earlier, when Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires. He scored from the penalty spot and assisted two goals in a memorable final appearance for the national team.

Back in Miami, the forward turned his attention to club duties and helped his side end a difficult run of results. His brace also took his league tally to 23 goals, keeping him at the top of the MLS scoring charts.

The performance provided a timely reminder that, despite closing the international chapter of his career, Messi remains a central figure in Miami’s pursuit of domestic success.

Luis Suárez Gives Miami a Two-Goal First-Half Advantage

Although Messi ultimately dominated the headlines, Luis Suárez laid the foundation for the victory with two goals before the interval.

The Uruguayan striker opened the scoring in the third minute, finishing after receiving the ball from Germán Berterame. His early strike gave Miami an immediate advantage and helped settle the hosts into the contest.

Suárez doubled the lead in the 39th minute, finding the net again from close range after Berterame helped create the opportunity. The goal gave Miami a comfortable 2-0 advantage heading into half-time.

Berterame’s involvement in both goals highlighted his importance to Miami’s attacking play, while Suárez’s finishing demonstrated the threat he continues to pose alongside Messi.

The two first-half strikes also reduced the pressure on the hosts, who had entered the match seeking to end a five-game winless sequence in league competition.

With a two-goal cushion established, Miami were well placed to manage the second half, although Messi still had a major role to play in turning a promising performance into a comprehensive victory.

Messi Strikes Twice After the Restart

Messi extended Miami’s advantage shortly after half-time, scoring in the 47th minute to make it 3-0.

Suárez supplied the ball into the six-yard area, allowing Messi to collect it and guide his finish inside the right post. The goal rewarded the Argentine’s movement and anticipation, placing Miami firmly in control of the contest.

The 39-year-old then struck again in the 60th minute. Receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, Messi drove into the penalty area, worked his way past two D.C. United defenders and finished from approximately 12 yards.

The second goal completed his brace and brought the score to 4-0, leaving the visitors with little prospect of mounting a comeback.

Messi’s two finishes were different in their execution but equally important to the result. The first demonstrated his ability to find space in the penalty area, while the second showcased the close control and composure that have defined his career.

His contribution ensured that Miami converted their first-half advantage into a convincing win rather than allowing the contest to become unnecessarily complicated.

Victory Ends Inter Miami’s Five-Match Winless Run

The result was significant beyond Messi’s individual achievement because it ended Inter Miami’s sequence of five consecutive MLS matches without a victory.

Before facing D.C. United, Miami had recorded four draws and one defeat during that run. Their last league win had come in a 7-1 victory over CF Montréal on 29 August.

The 4-0 result therefore provided a welcome response for a team attempting to build momentum during the closing stages of the regular season.

It was also the first league victory for head coach Cristian ‘Kily’ González, who took charge on 16 September. The result offered the new manager an encouraging foundation as he seeks to improve Miami’s consistency.

Miami’s attacking performance was particularly encouraging, with Suárez and Messi each scoring twice. The team combined early pressure with effective finishing and maintained control after the interval.

However, one victory will not erase the difficulties of the preceding weeks. Miami will need to maintain this level of performance in their remaining fixtures if they are to strengthen their position ahead of the MLS play-offs.

Messi’s 23 Goals Keep Him at the Top of the MLS Scoring Charts

Messi’s brace took his league tally to 23 goals for the season, reinforcing his position as MLS’s leading scorer.

His numbers underline the importance of his contribution to Miami’s attacking output. Even at 39, he continues to combine finishing ability with the creativity required to influence matches in several ways.

His return was particularly noteworthy because it followed an emotionally demanding international farewell. Argentina’s victory over Benin brought an end to a 21-year international career during which Messi became the country’s record appearance-maker and all-time leading goalscorer.

That final international appearance featured a goal and two assists, meaning he contributed directly to all three of Argentina’s goals. His immediate return to club football with another brace extended an impressive run of performances across both stages of his career.

Although his international duties have now concluded, Messi remains focused on helping Miami defend their MLS title. The club will hope his form continues as the competition approaches its decisive stages.

Miami Turn Their Attention to the Closing Stages of the Season

Inter Miami’s emphatic victory provides a platform for the club to approach its remaining regular-season matches with renewed confidence.

The team’s next fixture is against New York City FC on Wednesday, 14 October, when González’s side will have an opportunity to build on the momentum generated against D.C. United.

Messi’s fitness and continued involvement will remain central to Miami’s plans, while the partnership between him and Suárez will be an important attacking asset. Berterame’s contribution against D.C. United also offered evidence of the additional options available to the team in the final third.

For González, the challenge will be to turn Saturday’s performance into a more consistent sequence of results rather than treating the victory as an isolated success.

Messi, meanwhile, has made an immediate statement following his Argentina farewell. His two goals helped Miami return to winning ways, strengthened his position in the MLS scoring race and provided supporters with another memorable performance from their captain.

The international chapter may be closed, but his ambitions at club level remain very much alive.