Montréal vs Inter Miami: Lionel Messi made an explosive return to Major League Soccer, scoring a stunning brace to lead Inter Miami to a commanding 4-1 victory over CF Montreal. This win marked Miami’s first game back in MLS action after their elimination from the Club World Cup, where they had a valiant but ultimately disappointing run, falling 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Despite the long break from MLS competition, Inter Miami showed no signs of rust, with Messi playing a pivotal role in ensuring his side remained competitive. The Herons currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 17 matches. Coach Javier Mascherano emphasized the importance of the win, stating, “It is a great night, we took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again. It is never easy to reintegrate into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.”
A Rocky Start, Then Messi Magic
The match got off to a rocky start for Miami when a backpass from Messi went astray, falling right into the path of Montreal’s Prince Owusu, who capitalized with a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to give Montreal a 1-0 lead just two minutes in.
However, Messi quickly made amends. In the 33rd minute, he played a brilliant ball to Tadeo Allende, who calmly chipped Montreal’s goalkeeper Jonathan Sirios to equalize. Messi then turned on his signature magic in the 40th minute. After cutting in from the right side of the box, he expertly eluded Montreal defender Fernando Alvarez and curled the ball past Sirios into the far corner to give Miami a 2-1 advantage at halftime.
Telasco Segovia and Messi Seal the Deal
The second half saw more brilliance from Miami, with Telasco Segovia smashing a shot from outside the area in the 60th minute. The ball rattled off the crossbar before bouncing in, making it 3-1.
Just two minutes later, Messi added a second goal to his tally in a moment of individual brilliance. Collecting the ball just past the halfway line, Messi embarked on a mesmerizing run, evading four Montreal defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the center of the net to complete his second of the night.
Impressive Stats and MLS Dominance
Messi’s performance in this match highlighted why he’s considered one of the best in the world. He now has seven goals in his last four MLS games, bringing his season total to 12 goals in 14 appearances. His consistent excellence has been a key factor in Inter Miami’s rise to MLS Cup contention.
Mascherano lauded Messi’s impact: “Leo is happy playing football. Every time he is fit, he is going to play. Clearly, we have an extra advantage when he plays, and we want to use that advantage as much as possible.”
Looking Ahead: A Busy MLS Stretch
With this victory, Inter Miami aims to climb further in the standings, preparing for a busy stretch of five matches before the end of the month. Their next challenge is against the New England Revolution on July 9, followed by a home fixture against Nashville SC on July 12, and a road trip to face FC Cincinnati on July 16.
Messi’s Future at Inter Miami: Contract Extension Talks
As Messi continues to dazzle on the field, discussions about his future at Inter Miami are gaining momentum. With his current contract set to expire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, the club is eager to extend his stay.
ESPN reported that talks between Messi and the club are ongoing, with Inter Miami’s co-owner Jorge Mas expressing a desire for Messi to remain at the club for longer. “I always said that he is a competitive animal; he wants to win. I hope we can raise many trophies together here at Inter Miami in the coming years. We are just waiting to give the fans the good news about Lionel Messi,” said Mas.
The club is also gearing up for the opening of their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, for the 2026 season, and they want Messi to be part of the grand opening. His contract talks are critical for the club as they look to continue building on their recent successes, which include their first-ever trophies—the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.
Messi’s Record-Breaking Impact
Since joining the club in July 2023, Messi has been a transformative figure. He led Inter Miami to its first-ever major trophies, and his individual performance has been outstanding, with 31 goals and 22 assists in 38 MLS regular-season appearances. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Inter Miami’s progress in the Club World Cup, scoring key goals and contributing to their second-place finish in Group A.
CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami: A Preview
As Inter Miami returns to MLS action, they will face CF Montreal again. The last meeting between the two teams saw a thrilling 4-2 victory for Miami, and Montreal will be hoping to turn the tide on home soil.
CF Montreal, struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just three wins in 20 games, will need a strong performance to compete with Messi and company. Montreal will benefit from the return of some key players from international duty, including Canadian international Joel Waterman. However, they will miss Nathan Saliba, who was sold to Anderlecht.
Inter Miami, on the other hand, is in good form despite their recent defeat to PSG. The Herons will be looking to Messi, Luis Suárez, and their other stars to continue their dominance and build on their momentum as they push for a higher position in the standings.
Score Prediction: CF Montreal 0-4 Inter Miami
How to Watch: CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami
The match will take place on Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT at Stade Saputo in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Fans can tune in to the game via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Predicted Lineups:
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CF Montreal: Sirois; Bugaj, Campbell, Waterman, Petrasso; Sealy, Loturi, Piette, Pearce; Owusu, Vrioni.
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Inter Miami: Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Martinez, Alba; Allende, Redondo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Messi, Suárez.