Video: Lionel Messi scores and assists for Inter Miami’s first win at Nu Stadium vs Portland Timbers

Inter Miami hosted the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Nu Stadium trying to climb the MLS Jap Convention standings. Lionel Messi spearheaded the assault for the Herons, offering the sport’s opening breakthrough earlier than delivering an help to push the benefit to 2-0, securing the historic first victory on the membership’s new residence.

Sunday’s conflict marked Inter Miami’s fifth match at Nu Stadium since its grand opening, with the Herons beforehand enduring a irritating stretch of three attracts and a loss on the new venue. After sustained attacking stress turned Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis into the participant of the match early with a string of good saves, the Herons lastly carved open the Portland protection via the center of the pitch to lastly break the destructive streak.

Within the thirty first minute, Messi managed a go from Telasco Segovia and rapidly discovered Luis Suarez, who instantly linked again up with the Venezuelan midfielder. Segovia then delivered a spectacular backheel go that left Messi one-on-one with the keeper, permitting the Argentine star to fit it residence and open the scoring for the hosts.

Messi wasn’t completed impacting the scoreboard, later turning playmaker to arrange German Berterame for Inter Miami’s second aim. Within the forty second minute, Messi executed an ideal give-and-go with Suarez earlier than dancing previous Cole Bassett and Diego Chara contained in the field. After freezing the defenders, the Argentine slipped a go throughout the face of the aim for Berterame to faucet residence first-time, comfortably doubling the Herons’ lead towards the Timbers earlier than the break.

These numbers carry Messi’s season totals to 13 targets and 5 assists throughout 15 matches. Most notably, the famous person has racked up 4 targets and 4 assists over his final 4 outings, solidifying his standing because the frontrunner for the MLS Participant of the Month award for Could.

Messi straight concerned in over half of Inter Miami’s MLS targets

Messi has undoubtedly been Inter Miami’s talisman since his arrival, serving as each the workforce’s major finisher and the artistic engine behind their build-up play. Nevertheless, through the 2026 MLS marketing campaign, his affect has reached some extent the place the Herons are closely reliant on what the Argentine legend can produce on any given evening.

Via 14 matches, Inter Miami has discovered the again of the online 33 occasions, with Messi straight concerned in 18 of these tallies by racking up 13 targets and 5 assists. Whereas 9 different gamers have cracked the scoresheet for Miami this season, Berterame is the following closest with simply 5 targets, highlighting the workforce’s excessive dependence on their famous person captain.