Lionel Messi once again proved why he’s regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, leading Inter Miami to a thrilling 3-2 win over Columbus.
The Argentinian superstar scored twice, with Luis Suárez adding a third goal to seal the victory.
Just Lionel Messi doing his things at Inter Miami. Something Cristiano Ronaldo can only dream of
The GOATpic.twitter.com/75hZFP4hKA
— 99 attempts (@Itismourinho) October 3, 2024
Lionel Messi might have been absent from competitive football for a few months due to injuries, but when he steps onto the field, magic happens.
His return to the pitch for Inter Miami was nothing short of spectacular. Messi opened the scoring in the 45th minute, receiving a perfectly placed long pass at the edge of Columbus’ penalty area.
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As we’ve seen countless times throughout his legendary career, the ball seemed glued to his feet as he weaved past defenders, leaving Columbus’ goalkeeper helpless.
Messi wasn’t done yet. Just a few minutes later, he showcased his renowned free-kick prowess, launching the ball from over 20 meters out with surgical precision into the back of the net.
The Columbus goalkeeper could only watch as Messi’s strike flew past him, and Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was left in awe of his former pupil’s brilliance. Even after years of working with Messi, Martino still finds himself astonished by these moments of pure genius.
Columbus wasn’t about to give up, though. Early in the second half, Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi cut the lead to 2-1 with a well-placed goal.
As the game heated up, Columbus pushed for an equalizer, but it was Luis Suárez who capitalized on a goalkeeping error.
Columbus’ Patrick Schulte dropped the ball right at Suárez’s feet, and the experienced forward made no mistake, putting Inter Miami 3-1 ahead.
However, the match was far from over. Columbus kept pressing, and after some defensive errors from Inter Miami, Cucho Hernández scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 in the 63rd minute.
Hernández had a golden opportunity to level the game with another penalty 20 minutes later, but Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, made a crucial save to preserve the lead.
Lionel Messi has long been hailed as one of the greatest players in the history of football, and his performance against Columbus further solidified his status.
After winning the World Cup in Qatar and adding the unofficial title of the GOAT to his name, Messi continues to deliver spectacular performances for his fans.
His ability to score breathtaking goals, like the two he netted against Columbus, is what sets him apart from the rest. Despite his age, Messi remains a key player for Inter Miami, guiding his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings and securing their spot in the playoffs.
With Inter Miami securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference, fans can look forward to even more thrilling playoff matches.
Meanwhile, the Champions League continues to heat up, with several high-stakes encounters on the horizon.
