Messi Two Goals DC United: Inter Miami Routs United 4-0

Four days after closing out a 21-year tenure with the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi returned to club duty with Inter Miami and delivered a reminder of what remains in the tank: Messi two goals DC United was the story on Saturday night as Miami cruised to a 4-0 rout of D.C. United in MLS play.

The brace pushed Messi’s season total to a league-leading 23 goals, with 13 assists, according to MLSSoccer reporting. He now sits four goals clear of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa in the MLS Golden Boot race, keeping him on course for a second consecutive Golden Boot and a possible historic third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.

Messi two goals DC United pace a dominant Miami performance

Inter Miami controlled the match from the opening minutes. Luis Suárez opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, converting a header from Germán Berterame, and the pair combined again in the 39th minute when Suárez finished another Berterame header to make it 2-0 before halftime.

Messi took over after the break. In the 47th minute, he tapped home a Suárez cross to stretch the lead to 3-0. Thirteen minutes later, he collected a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, eluded two defenders, and beat D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson from 12 yards to complete the brace and seal the 4-0 scoreline.

Messi played the full 90 minutes, his first club appearance since his farewell match with Argentina ended his international career earlier in the week.

Match timeline

• 3rd minute: Suárez scores from a Berterame header — 1-0 Miami
• 39th minute: Suárez strikes again off another Berterame header — 2-0 Miami
• 47th minute: Messi taps in a Suárez cross — 3-0 Miami
• 60th minute: Messi beats two defenders and Johnson from 12 yards — 4-0 Miami
• Full time: Inter Miami 4, D.C. United 0

First win under Cristian “Kily” González

The victory was the first league win for new head coach Cristian “Kily” González, who took over the club on Sept. 16, and snapped a five-match winless skid that included four draws and one loss. It was also Miami’s first win since a 7-1 rout of CF Montreal on Aug. 29.

For D.C. United, the defeat extended a difficult stretch — the club is now winless in its last five matches.

A timely response after the Argentina farewell

The performance carried added resonance given its timing. Just four days earlier, Messi’s farewell with the Argentine national team closed out a 21-year international tenure that defined an era for La Albiceleste. Rather than showing any signs of fatigue or distraction, the 38-year-old played the full 90 minutes against D.C. United and looked sharp throughout, pressing from the front and linking fluidly with Suárez and De Paul.

His first goal was a study in anticipation — arriving unmarked at the far post to tap in Suárez’s low cross just two minutes into the second half. The second showcased the individual brilliance that made him the sport’s defining player: collecting De Paul’s pass, wrong-footing two defenders, and firing past Johnson from 12 yards before the keeper could set his feet.

The partnership with Suárez remains one of MLS’s most productive. The two former Barcelona teammates have consistently combined in the final third this season, and Saturday night offered a reminder of their telepathic understanding — Suárez providing Messi’s first goal after Messi had been kept quiet in the opening half, then Messi returning the favor narrative-wise by sealing the rout.

Key numbers from the night

• Messi’s season tally: 23 goals, 13 assists (league-leading in goals)
• Golden Boot gap: four goals clear of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa
• Suárez brace: goals in the 3rd and 39th minutes
• Berterame: two assists, both headers converted by Suárez
• Miami’s winless skid ended: five matches (four draws, one loss)
• Miami’s last win before Saturday: 7-1 over CF Montreal on Aug. 29
• D.C. United: winless in their last five matches

Golden Boot and MVP races take shape

Messi’s 23 goals and 13 assists, per MLSSoccer, give him the most productive attacking season in MLS this year. With a four-goal cushion over Petar Musa in the Golden Boot race, the Argentine is well positioned to defend the scoring title he claimed last season.

A second straight Golden Boot would strengthen the case for a third consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP award — a feat that would set a new benchmark in league history. No player has won the MVP honor three years running.

What comes next for Inter Miami

Inter Miami will look to build on the momentum when it hosts New York City FC on Wednesday night. With the postseason picture taking shape, back-to-back wins could solidify Miami’s position — and with Messi in this form, few defenses in MLS will relish the matchup.