- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Lionel Messi has delivered a series of standout performances for both Inter Miami and Argentina across multiple competitions in 2026.
The 39-year-old forward scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami during a 2-0 Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul, heading home a Suárez assist in the 24th minute and later setting up Casemiro from a corner. He followed that with a four-goal, one-assist display in a 7-1 MLS rout of CF Montréal, a performance ESPN described as "legendary stuff." The haul included two free kicks, a solo run and a chip, plus an assist for Suárez.
Messi also notched two goals in a 4-0 win over D.C. United at Nu Stadium and struck twice in a 4-2 comeback victory against Atlético de San Luis in his first start since returning from the World Cup. Additional MLS contributions included free-kick goals against Columbus Crew and San Diego, plus a record-breaking 30th goal contribution of the season against Chicago Fire.
For Argentina, Messi captained the side that lost 1-0 in extra time to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, his possible last tournament. He concluded international duty with his 208th and final cap at Estadio Monumental Buenos Aires, scoring his 126th goal and adding two assists.
Inter Miami, defending its first MLS Cup title in its inaugural season at Nu Stadium, has struggled recently with four losses in five matches including a 4-1 defeat to a Tennessee opponent where Messi missed a penalty.
Source: ESPN - Fri Oct 23, 3:18 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).