Lionel Messi Tracker: Scores Twice In Win Against Colorado Rapids

Lionel Messi has some high expectations for Inter Miami for 2026. He’ll aim to lead the Herons to consecutive MLS Cup titles during a season in which they’ll be playing at their new Miami Freedom Park stadium. The bigger story for La Pulga may be if Messi can also captain Argentina to back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles this summer, when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America. All season, we’ll be tracking Messi’s game-by-game performances, as the GOAT looks to have another epic season. Here’s the latest: April 18: Lionel Messi scores twice in win against Colorado Rapids Messi had two goals in Inter Miami’s 3-2 win over the Rapids on Saturday to extend the team’s unbeaten streak to seven games. Messi, who opened the scoring when he converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute, scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute. After a Colorado turnover near midfield, Messi cut back near the right corner of the penalty box and flicked a rising shot that split a pair of defenders and slipped inside the back post. Messi has seven goals this season, tied with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most in MLS. Miami (4-1-3) hasn’t lost since a season-opening 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC. April 11: Messi held scoreless in win against New York Red Bulls In the second match played at Inter Miami’s new stadium, Nu Stadium, the defending MLS Cup champions settled for their second draw in a row, this time against the Red Bulls, on Saturday night. In the 55th minute, Messi drew four defenders toward him and helped set up Germán Berterame for a second-half goal that gave Inter Miami its first lead. Messi had a couple golden chances, too. He had a stellar run but then slipped on his attempt as his shot was deflected out of bounds. In the 94th minute, Messi almost found the back of the net, but his free kick was ultimately deflected by New York goalkeeper Ethan Horvath. April 5: ‘Nu’ Era underway as Messi nets goal in Inter Miami’s new stadium Messi scored on the long-awaited opening night in his new home stadium, and Luis Suárez found a way to tie things up late in the second half. Messi scored on a header in the 10th minute, Suarez hammered home a volley in the 82nd minute and Inter Miami escaped with a 2-2 tie against Austin FC in the defending MLS champions’ first match at their still-under-construction stadium near Miami International Airport on Saturday night. Named “Nu Stadium”, the venue already has a stand named for Messi — a rare honor for an active player to already have a section of the stadium dedicated to him. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was at the match, lauding the work that David Beckham, who picked Miami 13 years ago, did to get to this day. Inter Miami, which is in its seventh MLS season and third with Messi, has played home matches in Fort Lauderdale until now. Beckham had another legend in attendance with him as Brazil great Ronaldo joined the festivities. Garber touted the stadium opening as the latest sign of growth for MLS. “I think our best days are still ahead,” he said. “David shined a light on our league, and Leo’s taking that torch, and he’s showing it around. And we’re getting calls from players around the world.” March 31: Messi scores in perhaps last Argentina home match? It didn’t take long for Messi to get on the scoresheet in Argentina’s 5-0 victory over Zambia at the historic Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Messi assisted Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez with an early strike in the fourth minute in what could be the GOAT’s final home match for his home country. He wasn’t done yet, as Messi would double La Albiceleste’s lead himself before the break. Messi had an opportunity to complete a hat-trick when Argentina was awarded a penalty early in the second half. Instead of stepping up and taking the penalty himself, he handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing him a scoring opportunity in his final home game. Otamendi announced that he will retire the national team following the summer’s World Cup. March 27: Messi comes on in second half, held scoreless vs. Mauritania Messi was back in action with Argentina for the FIFA international break. It was the final time the team would play together before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins later in the summer. Of course, reigning champions Messi and Argentina are expected to be among the heavy favorites to win it all. Before that happens, a couple of friendlies in Buenos Aires against two teams from Africa. Messi started on the bench during Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Mauritania and didn’t manage to score in the final 45 minutes. Argentina’s goals came from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Paz, but Messi was the one receiving endless cheers from fans in one of the nation’s most historic venues, La Bombonera. March 22: Messi scores key goal in win against NYCFC Inter Miami took home the win against NYCFC on Sunday, with Messi scoring the equalizer. At the 61-minute mark, Messi received a free kick, after what most fans believed was a “soft call.” He successfully converted in this opportunity, tying the game and putting the Herons back in contention for a win that night. The first goal of the night came from Gonzalo Lujan, with this also being his first career goal. The game was then iced in the 74th minute by Micael after a set-up by Messi’s corner kick. March 18: 900 career goals, but eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup What a milestone for the superstar, who has now reached the 900-goal mark in his illustrious club career that has spanned Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, as well as his international duty with Argentina. Messi scored the goal in Wednesday’s Champions Cup match against Nashville SC, taking a pass in the middle of the box in the seventh minute, controlled the ball, spun and lined a low shot through a maze of defenders and into the far corner of the net. Despite the historic goal, Nashville tied Inter Miami 1-1, advancing to the tournament quarterfinals on an away-goal tiebreaker. The teams played to a 0-0 tie in Nashville last week in the opening leg of the Round of 16. Messi is second on the all-time goal scoring list behind Cristiano Ronaldo (965), with those two the only ones who are in that stratosphere. Officially, the duo are followed by Romário (765), Pelé (762) and Ference Puskás (725). The next-highest active player is Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (690). There’s some controversy about Pelé’s count. Different sources, counting different sets of games, list the Brazilian icon’s goal totals anywhere from around 650 in league matches to somewhere near 1,300 in all matches — some against low-level competition. March 14: Messi sits out Inter Miami draw vs. Nashville SC Messi was rested for this game, as coach Javier Mascherano chose to save his energy for the second CONCACAF Champions Cup leg against Nashville SC. In his place, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez received his first start of the MLS season. Though Saturday ended in a scoreless draw, the game itself stayed spirited. In a heated exchange, Mascherano received a red card in stoppage time. As he protested the booking, he was sent off for foul and offensive language. Ever a lively personality, he sarcastically clapped at the crowd. March 11: Messi stuck at 899 goals after another draw Inter Miami and Messi faced off against Nashville SC in the Herons’ first game of the CONCACAF Champions Cup of the season. The Round of 16 ended in a scoreless draw, with Messi staying silent on the statsheet.  He attempted one shot in the 55th minute, but 24-year-old Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake came up with the save. March 7: Messi scores in win over D.C. United after White House visit Messi scored in the 27th minute, and Inter Miami held on for a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night in front of 72,026 at the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. The game was held in downtown Baltimore instead of at D.C. United’s smaller venue in Washington. It’s the second game this season where Inter Miami’s opponents held the match at a larger stadium. LAFC did so in February by changing the game to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. It was an eventful week for Messi and his team, which visited the White House on Thursday. Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 17th minute when De Paul collected the ball about 15 yards from the goal and struck a shot into the far side of the net. Messi then scored his third goal of the young MLS season, slipping behind the D.C. defense to receive Mateo Silvetti’s pass, then flicking the ball with one touch past goalie Sean Johnson. March 1: Messi scores twice in comeback win over rival Orlando City Nothing like scoring twice against your in-state rivals. Especially after being initially down by two. Messi had two second-half goals and an assist in Inter Miami’s 4-2 win over Orlando City. It was his first two goals of the 2026 MLS season and the Herons’ first win. It was part of a four-goal rally by Inter Miami in the second half, which also included goals by Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia (who also had two assists). Marco Pasalic and Martín Ojedahad initially gave the Lions the lead before Messi and Miami came out with a full head of steam after halftime. Messi’s second was a particular beauty as it came off a free kick in the final moments of the game in Orlando. Messi, ever the master at gamesmanship, decided to troll the Orlando faithful by mockingly giving them an autograph. Feb. 26: Messi knocked over by pitch invader in Puerto Rico A curiously timed match between Inter Miami and Ecuadorian club Independiente Del Valle at Puerto Rico’s Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel saw Messi convert a penalty and later tackled by an overzealous pitch invader. The game in Bayamón was supposed to be played in Inter Miami’s preseason on Feb. 13 but was moved back due to Messi’s hamstring injury. Inter Miami honored the rescheduled match after having already played its MLS season opener. Messi entered at halftime and was cheered loudly anytime he touched the ball. His penalty came in the 70th minute, which sealed the 2-1 victory in the unofficial match. As the game came to a wrap, a pitch invader got tangled up with Messi and a security guard, taking the superstar to the ground. He appeared to be fine as he got up and walked away. Feb. 21: Messi held scoreless in MLS opener Inter Miami began its season with a 3-0 loss at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against Son Heung-min and LAFC in front of an announced crowd of 75,672 — the second-highest game attendance in MLS history and highest for a season-opening game ever. After the game, a video posted on social media showed Messi following the referees through the tunnel and into a locker room. A visibly angry Messi appeared to be held back by teammate Luis Suárez with the two then exiting the area. The league said that Messi did not violate any policy and that he would not face any suspension. The Associated Press contributed to this report.