Inter Miami visited Minnesota United in Week 12 of the 2025 MLS season, and after a difficult first half, Lionel Messi delivered a brilliant goal to help the Herons get back into the match.
The Loons started strong, opening the scoring in the 31st minute with Bongokuhle Hlongwane finishing off a well-executed play. Anthony Markanich doubled the lead in stoppage time (45+2) with a header off a long throw-in. At halftime, Inter Miami regrouped and came out with renewed intensity.
Trailing at the break, Inter Miami came out in the second half pushing for a comeback. The visitors applied high pressure early on, and Noah Allen found Jordi Alba on the left wing. Alba delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Messi controlled the ball with precision and fired a low, driven shot to the far post—cutting the deficit to 2–1.
However, Inter Miami couldn’t maintain their momentum. In the 68th minute, Marcelo Weigandt accidentally scored an own goal while attempting to clear a header, dealing a major blow to the team’s comeback hopes. Just two minutes later, Robin Lod sealed the 4–1 scoreline with a clinical strike from outside the box.
While Inter Miami have faced a tough stretch in recent weeks, Messi continues to deliver on an individual level. In 15 appearances this season, the Argentine star has scored 10 goals and recorded three assists. His goal against Minnesota was his fifth in MLS play this year.
see also
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham’s bold claim: Only one star can match Lionel Messi – and he is at Barcelona
Lionel Messi setting another goal-scoring milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely known for his ongoing pursuit of the 1,000-goal milestone, but even in the later stages of his career, Lionel Messi continues to match and surpass expectations.
With his strike against Minnesota, Lionel Messi extended his career goal tally to 860—becoming the youngest player ever to reach that mark. Remarkably, he hit the milestone 91 games faster and nearly a year younger than Ronaldo.
