Watch Lionel Messi MLS targets as boss calls captain ‘best-ever to play the game’

Lionel Messi struck from outdoors the field and curled in a free-kick for his first targets of the 2026 MLS season as Inter Miami earned their first factors with a comeback win for his or her first-ever victory at Orlando Metropolis.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time to targets by Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda, Miami hit again in spectacular type via Mateo Silvetti’s Forty ninth-minute long-range end.

Messi fired the Herons stage eight minutes later, arrange Telasco Segovia to place them forward 5 minutes from time and added his second from a lifeless ball within the ninetieth minute.

Epic version of the Florida Basic 🔥

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

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

Lionel Messi: Mascherano on why striker ‘appeared a lot better’

“Along with being what I’ve stated a thousand occasions – the most effective ever to play the game – he’s a pacesetter whose vitality is contagious,” Miami supervisor Javier Mascherano stated, having seen his aspect reply to their 3-0 defeat at LAFC of their opening match of the season.

“However typically he must be impressed; he must see issues on the sphere to begin to imagine.

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

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

“Within the second half he appeared a lot better as a result of, once we scored that fast purpose, we began to search out him in areas the place he feels comfy.”

Messi featured at Orlando for the primary time, having missed each of his aspect’s earlier visits to Metropolis throughout his Miami profession.

Tactical evaluation: Silvetti shines for Miami

Mascherano’s choice to switch full-back Noah Allen with attacking participant Silvetti on the break paid off nearly immediately.

“I all the time say that when you need to make a change at half-time, meaning you made a mistake in your recreation plan,” the previous Argentina worldwide mirrored.

“As a coach, I hate to must take a participant out and expose them. However what makes it transfer is the gamers and the way they reply.”

Florida is pink tonight. 🦩

All love for the touring followers. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NkZD1KwlC

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

Defeat within the Florida derby means Orlando have began the season with consecutive defeats following their 2-1 loss at house to the New York Crimson Bulls.

“It was a a lot better model of us at present,” stated Metropolis head coach Oscar Pareja. “Not getting the lead to entrance of our followers and conceding these targets was painful for us.

“However total… the boys performed recreation. There’s not a lot to be upset with. Within the first half, tactically, the boys did job.

“Within the second half, we acquired unorganized – particularly within the ultimate third, the place Miami had been higher. We can not give these areas. We knew that, and we nonetheless conceded them, after which we conceded targets.”

Orlando vs Inter Miami stats

• Orlando beat Miami 3-0 away and 4-1 at house within the 2025 MLS
• Marco Pasalic then gave Metropolis a 1-0 lead at Miami of their Leagues Cup semifinal, just for Messi to attain twice and Telasco Segovia to seal a 3-1 victory after David Brekalo was despatched off for the guests
• Pasalic scored as soon as in every of his three appearances in opposition to Miami final season
• Martin Ojeda has two targets and two assists in six MLS video games in opposition to Miami, beginning 4 of these
• Griffin Dorsey’s help for Ojeda’s was the wideman’s first direct purpose contribution for Metropolis
• Miami had misplaced three and drawn 5 of their earlier eight visits to Orlando within the MLS
• General, they’ve misplaced seven, received seven and drawn 5 editions of the fixture, with a constructive purpose distinction of 4
• Messi has eight targets and two assists in his 5 conferences with Orlando
• Solely the LA Galaxy’s Joao Klauss and the New York Crimson Bulls’ Julian Corridor (3 every) have extra targets than Messi throughout the primary two video games of the season
• Herons midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has had probably the most touches of any participant on this season’s MLS (249)
• Solely LAFC’s Denis Bouanga can match Messi’s whole of 12 makes an attempt

What’s subsequent for Orlando Metropolis and Inter Miami? Fixtures, schedule

Right here’s how the golf equipment’ schedules look, with Orlando subsequent in motion at New York Metropolis on Saturday, shortly earlier than Miami, who additionally function within the Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC) this month, go to DC United.