By Victor Kanayo
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 win against Columbus Crew to help the club win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time.
The Argentina playmaker opened the scoring with a close-range finish and doubled the away side’s lead in first-half stoppage time with a sublime free-kick.
Crew winger Diego Rossi halved the deficit in Ohio before former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez restored Inter Miami’s two-goal lead as they held on after Cucho Hernandez’s penalty.
Miami’s victory means the club will finish top of the table and have won the Supporters’ Shield – which is given to the MLS club with the best regular season record – for the first time since they debuted in 2020.
The trophy is Messi’s 46th piece of silverware in his glittering career for club and country.
By finishing top of the standings, Miami have secured home advantage during the post-season play-offs.
