Argentine star Lionel Messi continued to make history in American stadiums, as he led his team Inter Miami to a valuable and exciting 4-2 victory over their neighbor and rival Orlando City, in a match that witnessed a remarkable performance by the "Tango" captain who continues to break records.
Florida derby details and star-studded performances
The match saw Inter Miami take early control, with his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul opening the scoring in the 17th minute of the first half, signaling the home side's intentions to secure an early victory. Messi didn't just play the playmaker role; he also made his mark by scoring his team's second goal in the same half, confirming his excellent physical and technical condition as they embark on their title defense.
With this goal, Lionel Messi raised his goal tally in the Inter Miami jersey to 80 goals, becoming the club's undisputed all-time top scorer. His total goals in his legendary professional career reached 899, leaving him just one step away from reaching the 900-goal mark, a historic achievement added to his golden record.
Echoes of the White House visit and meeting with Trump
This significant moral victory comes just 48 hours after the extraordinary event in Washington, D.C., where U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the Inter Miami team to the White House, celebrating their crowning as champions of the MLS Cup in December 2025.
During the ceremony, Trump praised the Argentine legend, revealing his son Barron's great admiration for Messi. In his remarks, which were widely reported by international media, Trump said, "My son Barron told me you were here today, and that he's a huge fan of yours and thinks you're a fantastic person." The US president added, lauding Messi's career, "Messi has won his 47th trophy in his illustrious career, the most trophies ever.".
Messi's impact on American soccer
Lionel Messi's impact cannot be limited to goals and assists alone; since joining Major League Soccer, "La Pulga" (The Flea) has sparked an unprecedented economic and popular revolution. President Trump alluded to this impact in his speech when he thanked Messi for choosing Miami despite lucrative offers from other countries, saying, "You could have gone anywhere in the world, but you chose Miami... Thank you for giving us all this opportunity.".
Messi's presence in the MLS is seen as a key pillar in promoting soccer in the United States, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. Messi's performance, and his reaching 899 goals, enhances the MLS's global standing and attracts millions of football fans to follow Inter Miami's matches with unprecedented passion.
