Lionel Messi’s record-breaking run of multi-goal games in Major League Soccer came to an end on Wednesday night, as Inter Miami suffered a heavy 3–0 defeat to FC Cincinnati.
The 38-year-old Argentine had scored braces—two goals in a match—in five straight MLS games, racking up 16 goals for the season while leading Miami to four wins and a draw during that stretch. It was the first time since 2012, during his Barcelona days, that Messi had scored multiple goals in five consecutive matches.
But against Cincinnati, Messi and Miami were stifled. The hosts limited Inter to just two shots on target, effectively neutralizing the team’s attacking threat.
“Clearly, we were outplayed from the start,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano. “It was difficult to win individual duels. Physically, we’ve been through a demanding stretch and we paid the price.”
Mascherano added that Messi suffered a knock late in the game but confirmed that “it ended well.”
Cincinnati took the lead in the 16th minute through 20-year-old American midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela. Brazilian forward Evander added a second in the 50th minute and struck again in the 70th to seal a commanding win.
“They pressured us from the beginning. We lacked freshness and clarity,” Mascherano admitted. “They deserved the win. The result and the way we lost are both concerning. Now we need to rest and focus on the next game.”
Miami now sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points from 20 games (11 wins, 4 losses, 5 draws). They trail first-place Philadelphia by eight points, though they have three games in hand and could close the gap with a strong run.
Inter Miami faces the New York Red Bulls next on Saturday. The Red Bulls are coming off a 5–3 victory over New England, powered by two goals each from Cameroon’s Eric Choupo-Moting and Sweden’s Emil Forsberg.
Rodrigo De Paul to join Inter Miami
Meanwhile, a source close to the negotiations told AFP that Inter Miami has agreed to terms with Atlético Madrid and Argentine international Rodrigo De Paul on a four-year deal.
De Paul will join Miami initially on loan for the remainder of 2025, with a purchase option worth more than $12 million. His debut could come as early as July 30, when Inter faces Mexican side Atlas in the Leagues Cup.
The 31-year-old midfielder will reunite with Messi, his teammate from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad. The move comes just 11 months before the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While Messi has yet to confirm whether he will participate in the 2026 tournament, bringing De Paul to Miami could strengthen the club’s case to extend Messi’s contract beyond its current expiration at the end of the year. Inter hopes to keep the Argentine star for the 2026 season, when the team is set to open its new stadium.
De Paul will join a star-studded Inter Miami lineup that already includes Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets.
In other league news, Charlotte was announced as the host of the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. This year’s edition will be held next Wednesday in Austin, Texas, with the MLS All-Stars set to face off against their Liga MX counterparts.
AFP
