Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano accused a reporter of failing to listen to him over Lionel Messi’s availability after the striker scored twice and provided an assist in his side’s 4-1 MLS comeback win at Montreal.
Captain Messi took his total to five goals and three assists in his last three MLS games as the Herons played for the first time since their 4-0 Fifa Club World Cup 2025 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on June 29.
“You still don’t believe me when I talk because [on Saturday], at the press conference, I told you that, if everything was OK, he would travel and play,” Mascherano said. “But it seems I’m not credible.
“Beyond that, we have to understand that Leo is happy playing and every time he’s able to play, he’s going to. We clearly have an advantage when we play and we want to use that as much as possible in as many games as possible.”
MESSI MAGIC. 🐐
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/3tXRA5OCUk pic.twitter.com/5atfYoPkNr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
Montreal vs Inter Miami goals: Messi shines
Prince Owusu slotted Montreal – the bottom side in the Eastern Conference, with three wins and 12 defeats from their previous 20 league games this season – into a surprise second-minute lead at Stadium Saputo.
Jordi Alba hit a post for the visitors before Tadeo Allende struck from long range and Messi scored the first of two fine finishes after blistering runs to turn the scoreline around before half-time.
A Telasco Segovia beauty from distance extended Miami’s advantage, with Messi adding his second to take his tally to 12 for the MLS season and ensure he has only been outscored by Philadelphia’s Tai Baribo, who has 13, and 16-goal Sam Surridge, of Nashville.
Lionel Messi stats
Messi is the third player in MLS history to score at least two goals and one assist in three consecutive league matches and the first since Thierry Henry in 2012.
“I still enjoy watching him play, as a coach,” said Mascherano, who won the Champions League twice and La Liga five times as a team-mate of Messi at Barcelona between 2010 and 2018.
“For me, it’s a privilege to coach him. I was very as a player to watch so many games of his and goals he scored.
“He’s clearly someone different – a different player we’re lucky to have – and today he made the difference again.”
Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi . 🐐 pic.twitter.com/DsvmC73hns
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025
Inter Miami: ‘Not easy’ to return to MLS
Miami’s third consecutive league win also made them the top scorers in the division and put last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners 10 points behind leaders Cincinnati with four games in hand.
“It’s not easy to get back into this competition after the month we spent competing in the Club World Cup,” said Mascherano.
“The players did it well. It was a great night and we took the three points, which were much needed to start thinking about the MLS again.
“We were on a very good run before the Club World Cup and we were able to maintain that [there].”
Uruguay all-time top scorer Luis Suarez produced his eighth MLS assist of the season to tee up Messi’s second.
Inter Miami Club World Cup 2025 results
Miami were in Group A with Brazilian side Palmeiras, Egyptian team Al-Ahly and Portugese giants Porto. Here are their results.
Sunday, June 29
Round of 16: PSG 4-0 Inter Miami (Atlanta)
Tuesday, June 24
Inter Miami 2-2 Palmeiras (Miami)
Thursday, June 19
Miami 2-1 Porto (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 15
Al-Ahly 0-0 Miami (Miami)
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional extra year in his Miami contract.
Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first announced in July 2023, Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.
Lionel Andres Messi ✨🐐 pic.twitter.com/WqYoIZNPEv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 16, 2025
Lionel Messi Inter Miami record
The club was formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signings of all time five years later, winning their first trophy with the help of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Suarez when they triumphed in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
In his first full campaign with the club, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield.
The 38-year-old has 16 goals and six assists in 24 appearances in all competitions in 2025, with former Argentina midfielder Mascherano taking over as boss before the start of the season.
