Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano urged his squad to “forget the result” before the MLS giants twice overturned a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at Philadelphia with the help of a Lionel Messi free-kick.
Messi’s side were on course for a sixth defeat in eight matches in all competitions at half-time at Subaru Park, where goals by Quinn Sullivan and Tai Baribo had put the Eastern Conference leaders 2-0 ahead.
“I told the players at half-time ‘we are in the **** – the only way to see the sun is to keep everything and forget the result,'” explained Mascherano.
“It’s important for confidence to improve on the pitch. The result is my responsibility but football is a game and we have to play.
“We cannot be worried about the result – it’s about playing the game, going forward, attacking, creating chances and scoring goals. It’s the only way.”
WHAT A GOAL 😮💨🐐 pic.twitter.com/BU6IoPUBii
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 25, 2025
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Philadelphia vs Miami
Tadeo Allende’s 60th-minute header reduced Miami’s arrears before Baribo’s 13th goal in 14 MLS games this season left Miami trailing 3-1 until the 87th minute.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi then hammered in superbly from a central position before Venezuela midfielder Telasco Segovia curled in a 95th-minute equalizer from the edge of the box.
Miami’s fifth league draw of the season means they have won only six of their 14 MLS contests and are sixth, four points behind fifth-placed Columbus.
They have a game in hand over the Crew and most of the teams above them, including Philadelphia, who are seven points clear of the Herons.
Inter Miami: Jordi Alba tactics
Mascherano explained why he had picked Champions League winner and Barcelona legend Jordi Alba on the left wing.
“We know [Philadelphia] play with almost four attackers so [we thought] Jordi could make the difference, playing inside next to [Sergio Busquets],” said the Argentinian, who took over in his first senior managerial role before the start of the season.
Golazo de Telasco Segovia para empatarlo 💥 pic.twitter.com/evZbNLrzDv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 25, 2025
“In the first half, for many, many minutes, we had control of the game and moved from one side to the other, finding [Alba].
“With Noah [Allen], we have a kid who can play in any position. He is unbelievable, so we had him at left-back in the beginning.
“In the second half, when we needed to maybe attack more, we moved Noah to centre-back and Jordi very, very high as a winger, defending with three players.”
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, 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 stats
Formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018, Miami made Messi one of the most high-profile MLS signings of all time and won their first trophy with his help by triumphing 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 37-year-old has 11 goals and three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions in 2025, having ended a two-game run without scoring.
