Watch The Undisputed GOAT: Messi’s MLS Goals Proving He’s ‘Best-Ever’

Lionel Messi netted from beyond the penalty area and bent in a set-piece for his inaugural scores of the 2026 MLS campaign, as Inter Miami secured their initial points with a rally to achieve their debut triumph at Orlando City.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval due to goals by Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda, Miami retaliated in a spectacular fashion with Mateo Silvetti’s 49th-minute long-range shot.

Messi leveled the score for the Herons eight minutes later, assisted Telasco Segovia to put them ahead five minutes before the end, and added his second from a dead ball in the 90th minute.

Epic edition of the Florida Classic 🔥

Halftime: @OrlandoCitySC led, 2-0
Fulltime: @InterMiamiCF won, 4-2 pic.twitter.com/DBH90AM7YQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 2, 2026

Lionel Messi: Mascherano Explains Why Forward ‘Appeared Significantly Improved’

“In addition to being what I have asserted countless times – the finest player to ever grace the sport – he’s a leader whose dynamism is infectious,” stated Miami manager Javier Mascherano, after witnessing his squad recover from their 3-0 loss at LAFC in their season opener.

“Yet, occasionally he requires inspiration; he needs to observe events on the pitch to begin to believe.”

Pitchside view of Messi’s free kick. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vbeHStN1F2

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 2, 2026

“In the latter half, he seemed far superior because, once we scored that swift goal, we commenced locating him in areas where he feels at ease.”

Messi participated at Orlando for the initial time, having missed both of his team’s preceding visits to City during his Miami tenure.

Presented here is the game’s chronology, in which Orlando midfielder Colin Guske also received a second caution in the 88th minute for a foul committed on Messi.

Tactical Assessment: Silvetti Excels for Miami

Mascherano’s choice to substitute full-back Noah Allen with offensive player Silvetti at the break yielded immediate dividends.

“I consistently claim that when a substitution must be made at half-time, it implies an error in your strategic blueprint,” the former Argentina international mused.

“As a coach, I detest having to remove a player and expose them. However, what renders it an effective maneuver is the players themselves and their subsequent reaction.”

Florida is pink tonight. 🦩

All love for the traveling fans. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NkZD1KwlC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 2, 2026

The loss in the Florida derby signifies Orlando’s commencement of the season with consecutive defeats, following their 2-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls.

“We presented a much improved version of ourselves today,” remarked City head coach Oscar Pareja. “Failing to secure the outcome in front of our supporters and conceding those goals was distressing for us.”

“Nevertheless… the lads performed admirably. There’s not much to feel disappointed about. In the first half, from a tactical standpoint, the boys executed well.”

“In the second half, we became disordered – particularly in the final attacking third, where Miami demonstrated superiority. We cannot afford to grant those openings. We were aware of that, yet we still allowed them, and subsequently, we conceded scores.”

Orlando vs Inter Miami Statistics

• Orlando overcame Miami 3-0 on the road and 4-1 at home in the 2025 MLS
• Marco Pasalic then provided City with a 1-0 advantage against Miami in their Leagues Cup semi-final, only for Messi to net twice and Telasco Segovia to confirm a 3-1 win after David Brekalo was dismissed for the visiting squad
• Pasalic scored once in each of his three encounters against Miami last season
• Martin Ojeda possesses two goals and two assists in six MLS matches versus Miami, starting four of those contests
• Griffin Dorsey’s assist for Ojeda was the wide player’s initial direct goal contribution for City
• Miami had endured three losses and five draws in their preceding eight visits to Orlando in the MLS
• Overall, they have experienced seven defeats, secured seven victories, and drawn five editions of the confrontation, maintaining a positive goal differential of four
• Messi boasts eight goals and two assists in his five match-ups with Orlando
• Only the LA Galaxy’s Joao Klauss and the New York Red Bulls’ Julian Hall (3 apiece) possess more goals than Messi across the first two fixtures of the season
• Herons midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has recorded the highest number of touches among any player in this MLS season (249)
• Only LAFC’s Denis Bouanga can match Messi’s aggregate of 12 attempts

What Lies Ahead for Orlando City and Inter Miami? Upcoming Matches, Calendar

Here’s how the clubs’ timetables appear, with Orlando next in action at New York City on Saturday, shortly before Miami, who also participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC) this month, journey to DC United.