Messi conquers New York

Inter Miami’s captain Lionel Messi led Javier Mascherano’s team to a resounding victory over New York Red Bulls in Week 26 of the 2025 Major League Soccer season. From Sports Illustrated Stadium – and with just a year to go until the 2026 World Cup final – the legendary No 10 delivered a spectacular performance to keep his side’s momentum alive in the North American league.

The match didn’t get off to the best start for the Herons, as the Red Bulls took the lead just 13 minutes in. Following a corner from the left, Rocco Ríos Novo misjudged the aerial ball, allowing Alexander Hack to head home and make it 1–0 in New Jersey.

Messi’s magic lights up New Jersey

After a shaky start, Messi sprang to life, and his football lit a spark throughout the team. The first big moment came after a pass from Sergio Busquets, when Luis Suárez played a neat one-two with the No 10. Messi then delivered a surgical through ball to Jordi Alba, who finished it off with a thunderous left-footed strike to level the score in the 24th minute.

Just moments later, Messi picked out Alba once again with a perfectly weighted pass into space, and the move ended in Telasco Segovia completing the comeback. The Venezuelan forward’s soft finish was enough to beat goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. Just before halftime, Segovia struck again – this time with a composed right-footed shot after a smart assist from Federico Redondo.

In the second half, Messi put the game to bed. In the 60th minute, the 2022 World Cup winner broke free thanks to a sublime assist from Busquets and finished in trademark style – shaking off Coronel with a slick feint before tapping into an empty net. The home bench erupted in protests over a possible offside, but the goal stood.

The rout was complete by the 75th minute, when Messi latched onto a cross from Suárez at the far post, controlled it on his chest, shrugged off his marker and smashed home a classy left-footed volley. The Inter Miami captain wrapped up a brilliant brace and punished the Red Bulls on their home turf to keep his team near the top of the Eastern Conference.

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