Lionel Messi is close to reaching 100 goals for Inter Miami. He scored his 99th goal for the club on Saturday night. It came in 114 matches. He found the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Inter Miami played Nashville in a top-of-the-table match. Messi and his team were behind after four minutes. They fought back and Messi was among the scorers. For a long time, it looked like Inter Miami would get a much-needed win. But Nashville scored in stoppage time. Sam Surridge tapped home to make it 2-2.
Before this match, Inter Miami had won only one of their previous six games. That poor run had left them behind in the race for top spot. The draw leaves Nashville nine points clear of Inter Miami. There are still nine rounds of matches to go.
Messi tops the MLS scoring charts in 2026 with 19 goals. It is also the third season in a row that he has scored at least 10 goals in the United States. Messi is 39 years old.
Nashville Snatch 2-2 Draw Against Inter Miami With Stoppage-Time Equaliser
Inter Miami and Nashville played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday night at Nu Stadium. The match lived up to its billing as a top-of-the-table clash, with Lionel Messi and Sam Surridge stealing the show.
Messi produced a moment of magic in the 62nd minute. He curled a first-time shot from 20 yards out to give Miami the lead. It was his 19th goal of the season, putting him clear at the top of the MLS Golden Boot race. He now has 19 goals and 13 assists.
Nashville’s Sam Surridge had opened the scoring early in the match, finding the net in the fourth minute. After Messi put Miami ahead, it looked like the home side might hold on for a much-needed win. But Surridge had other ideas. He pounced on a rebound in stoppage time to equalise, completing his brace and breaking Miami’s hearts.
Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan described it as a big boys’ game, praising both teams for going toe to toe. The result keeps Nashville nine points clear of Miami in the Eastern Conference. They are also eight points ahead of Vancouver in the Supporters’ Shield race, with nine matches still to play.
Messi’s interim manager, Guillermo Hoyos, was full of praise for his star player. He said God gave Messi his gift and called him a one-of-a-kind player who cannot be repeated.
For Nashville, the draw extends their recent dominance over Miami. They had already eliminated Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup and beaten them 4-1 last month. Surridge’s late goal helped them take another step toward the Supporters’ Shield.
Reached 1,350 Career Goal Contributions Ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi became the first footballer to reach 1,350 career goal contributions. He achieved this milestone during Inter Miami’s away game against Chicago Fire. Messi’s corner found Casemiro, who scored the goal. Goal contributions are the combined total of goals scored and assists provided. Messi reached this mark in 1,173 career games. Cristiano Ronaldo is behind him at 1,240 contributions, a gap of 110.
Messi has scored 927 goals and provided 423 assists in his career. Ronaldo has scored 979 goals and has 261 assists. Despite Ronaldo’s higher goal tally, Messi is far ahead in overall contributions. Messi averages 1.15 contributions per game, compared to Ronaldo’s 0.93.
Messi’s goals have come for Argentina, Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami. Ronaldo has scored for Portugal, Manchester United, Juventus, Al-Nassr, and Sporting CP. Messi has retired from international football but is still playing at club level. Ronaldo has not yet announced his retirement. Neither player will feature at the 2030 World Cup.
Both players are in the twilight of their careers. The end is not far away for either of them. When they retire, they will leave a huge void in football. Fans who have watched them play over the past 20 years have witnessed the biggest rivalry in the sport. The debate over who is the better player will likely never have a clear answer.
FAQs
Q. How many goals has Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami?
A. Messi has scored 99 goals for Inter Miami.
Q. How many MLS goals has Messi scored in 2026?
A. Messi has scored 19 MLS goals this season.
Q. What was the result of the Inter Miami vs Nashville match?
A. Nashville and Inter Miami drew 2-2.
Q. Who scored Nashville’s stoppage-time equaliser?
A. Sam Surridge scored the equaliser.
Q. How many points clear are Nashville of Inter Miami?
A. Nashville are nine points clear of Inter Miami.
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