Lionel Messi added another accolade to his impressive career, scoring twice to lead Inter Miami to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew SC, securing the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. This title, awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular Major League Soccer season, marks another major achievement for Messi since joining Miami from Paris Saint-Germain.
In one of the most exciting matches of the season, Miami and Columbus went head-to-head in a high-stakes battle. Messi opened the scoring in the 45th minute, latching onto a perfectly lofted through ball from Jordi Alba to give Miami the lead.
In stoppage time of the first half, Messi doubled Miami’s advantage with a sublime free-kick, expertly curling the ball around the Columbus wall and into the net, leaving goalkeeper Patrick Schulte frozen as Miami went into halftime 2-0 up.
Columbus hit back immediately in the second half, with Diego Rossi finding the net within 20 seconds. However, Miami responded almost instantly, as Luis Suarez restored the two-goal cushion just a minute later.
Columbus refused to back down, pulling within one goal after Cucho Hernandez converted a penalty into the bottom left corner. Late in the match, Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar made a crucial save to prevent an equalizer, preserving the 3-2 victory.
This triumph gave Inter Miami the Supporters’ Shield, their second major trophy following the Leagues Cup win in July 2023, and marked Messi’s 46th career title.
