In the 62nd minute of the match at Nu Stadium in Miami, Messi received the ball from Rodrigo De Paul outside the box. He took a touch before curling a left-footed shot towards the far corner. The shot was powerful and precise, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Brian Schwake, giving the home team a 2-1 lead.

This marked Messi's 99th goal for Inter Miami across all competitions since he joined the club in the summer of 2023. The 39-year-old superstar now needs just one more goal to become the first player in the Florida team's history to reach the 100-goal mark.

Messi dribbles between midfielder Patrick Yazbek (8) and defender Reed Baker-Whiting (27) during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Nashville in MLS round 25 at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, US on 12/9. Photo: AP

This achievement is particularly notable as Messi has played for Inter Miami for just over three years. He arrived in the US after his contract with PSG expired in July 2023 and made an immediate impact. In his first season, despite joining mid-season, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 11 goals in 14 matches across all competitions, playing a major role in Inter Miami securing the Leagues Cup, the first title in the club's history.

In 2024, Messi scored 23 goals across all competitions, including 20 in MLS, despite several absences due to injury and his participation in the Copa America with Argentina. This allowed Inter Miami to secure the Supporters' Shield with the best record in the MLS regular season.

Messi has maintained high performance in the subsequent two seasons. Not only is he the primary goal scorer, but he also plays a central role in the team's style of play, dropping deep to organize attacks and directly creating decisive moments in the final third. Nearing 100 goals at 39 years old demonstrates that his scoring ability has not significantly declined since leaving European top-flight football.

The goal against Nashville was also Messi's 19th in MLS 2026, placing him at the top of the top scorer race. This marks the third consecutive season the Argentine forward has reached double-digit goals in the American professional league.

Messi's shot is saved by goalkeeper Brian Schwake during Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Nashville in MLS round 25 at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida, US on 12/9. Photo: AP

If he scores in the next match, the 2026 Campeones Cup against Mexican champions Cruz Azul on 17/9, Messi will achieve another special milestone in a career that already boasts over 900 goals for club and country. Before Inter Miami, he scored 672 goals for Barca, a record for a player at a single club, and 32 goals in two seasons with PSG.

Messi's influence in Miami also extends beyond statistics. Before his arrival, Inter Miami, a club founded in 2018 and beginning MLS play in 2020, had never won a major title. Subsequently, Messi, along with former Barca teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, transformed the team into a North American football powerhouse, bringing home the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters' Shield.

However, Messi's joy in the match on 13/9 was not complete. Inter Miami led Nashville 2-1 until the end of regular time, but Sam Surridge scored in the 90+1 minute, completing his brace and securing a 2-2 draw for the visitors.

This result means Inter Miami could not significantly close the gap in the Eastern Conference race. For Messi personally, however, the focus now shifts to the number 100.

By Nhat Tao