VIDEO: Top corner stunner & nerveless penalty! Lionel Messi bags brace for Inter Miami & fires MLS outfit into CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals

The Argentine superstar, who has seen his game time carefully managed in 2025, was included in the Herons’ starting XI for the third successive fixture as they lined up against MLS rivals LAFC in CONCACAF competition.

Javier Mascherano needed inspiration from somewhere, as his side trailed the quarter-final encounter 1-0 on aggregate, and that meant leaning heavily on eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

The all-time great did not disappoint, as he registered two goals in an impressive 3-1 win. Inter Miami fell behind inside the opening 10 minutes, leaving them with a mountain to climb, but saw Messi grab a lifeline before half-time.

His stunning strike in the 35th minute crashed into the top corner after working a yard of space just inside the box. Federico Redondo restored overall parity just past the hour mark, before Messi stepped up and tucked away a penalty six minutes from time.

Inter Miami - who are looking to chase down major honours on multiple fronts this season, allowing Messi to enhance his standing as the most decorated player in history - will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Champions Cup semi-finals.