Lionel Messi Shines Again As Inter Miami Beat FC Cincinnati In 8-Goal Thriller

Lionel Messi continued his sensational form ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Inter Miami CF to a dramatic 5-3 comeback victory over FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer.

What happened

• Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 5-3 at TQL Stadium
• Messi finished with 2 goals and 1 assist
• He also forced an own goal during the match
• The game featured multiple momentum swings in an eight-goal thriller

Messi’s performance

The Argentine superstar delivered another dominant display by:

• Opening the scoring in the 24th minute
• Scoring his second goal in the 55th minute
• Creating an equaliser for teammate Mateo Silvetti
• Forcing a late own goal initially thought to be his hat-trick

Messi now has:

• 11 goals
• 4 assists

this MLS season and currently leads the league in total goal contributions.

Incredible recent form

Messi has been in exceptional form recently with:

• 4 goals and 5 assists in his last three matches
• A record-setting milestone as the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 career goal contributions

Inter Miami’s position

Following the victory:

• Inter Miami moved to second place in the Eastern Conference
• The club sits just two points behind Nashville SC
• The team has now secured seven away wins this season

Coach praises Messi

Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos praised both Messi and the team after the match, calling the performance “incredible” and highlighting the intensity and quality shown throughout the game.

Why it matters

Messi’s form is attracting major global attention as the countdown begins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His performances continue boosting both Inter Miami’s title hopes and MLS global visibility.

What changes

• Inter Miami strengthens its position in the MLS playoff race
• Messi remains among the favourites for the league’s top individual awards
• Excitement around the upcoming FIFA World Cup continues growing

Who is affected

• Inter Miami and MLS fans
• Argentina national team supporters
• Eastern Conference title rivals
• Global football audiences ahead of the World Cup

What to watch next

Inter Miami will next face the Portland Timbers before the World Cup break, while fans worldwide continue closely monitoring Messi’s fitness and form ahead of the international tournament.