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Inter Miami’s bid to close the gap on Eastern Conference leaders Nashville fell short on Saturday as the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium in Miami. The Argentine forward Lionel Messi, now 39, continued his prolific record against Nashville with a beautifully taken goal in the 62nd minute that appeared to have secured the victory for the home side.
Nashville struck first through English striker Sam Surridge, who capitalized on an offside trap in the fourth minute to give the visitors an early lead. Miami responded midway through the first half when Messi’s in-swinging corner found Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting, who inadvertently guided the ball into his own net to level the match.
Messi’s goal midway through the second half, set up by former Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, looked to have won the game for Inter. However, the home side’s inability to extend their advantage proved decisive when Surridge bundled in an injury-time equalizer to secure a point for Nashville.
The result underscores Messi’s continued importance to Inter Miami’s attacking play. According to AFP reporting, the veteran forward has now scored 17 goals in 14 games against Nashville across all competitions since joining Miami in 2023. On Saturday alone, Messi came close to adding further goals, striking the underside of the bar in the 50th minute and hitting the post in the 78th minute, demonstrating his sustained threat throughout the match.
With nine regular season games remaining, Inter Miami now sits nine points behind Nashville in the Eastern Conference standings, making the dropped points a significant setback in their pursuit of top seeding.
Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and has become a central figure in the club’s attacking play. His prolific record against Nashville, one of the league’s strongest sides, highlights both his individual quality and the competitive nature of MLS’s Eastern Conference.
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