Messi’s Goal and Assist Lead Inter Miami to First Nu Stadium Win

MIAMI, Fla. — May 17, 2026 —

Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Inter Miami defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 Sunday night at Nu Stadium, clinching the club’s first-ever home win at their new 26,000-seat Downtown Miami venue after four previously winless outings there.

The victory carries weight beyond three points. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in less than a month, Messi’s latest masterclass was a timely reminder of why Argentina enter their title defence as favourites — and why Inter Miami look every inch a genuine MLS Cup contender once the tournament break is over.

“Did you see the game? Beautiful game, right? The players drew, they painted, they did everything. Honestly, it was a huge sacrifice,” said Guillermo Hoyos, Inter Miami’s interim manager, speaking to reporters after the final whistle. — Guillermo Hoyos, Inter Miami CF interim manager

How the Goals Arrived

Inter Miami broke the deadlock in the 31st minute through a piece of intricate team build-up. Luis Suárez slipped the ball inside to Telasco Segovia, whose deft backheel threaded Messi clear 12 yards from goal. The Argentine swept it into the far corner with his favoured left foot — according to the club’s official match recap, it was his 12th regular-season goal of 2026.

The second arrived nine minutes later. Messi collected possession on the right, dribbled through four Portland defenders and used the outside of his left boot to roll a perfect pass into the path of Germán Berterame, who converted first-time inside the left post.

13 games. 12 goals. 6 assists. 🔥

Leo Messi's form heading into the @FIFAWorldCup. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/9qsRDhfpcL

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 18, 2026

A Stadium Hoodoo Finally Broken

Before Sunday, Nu Stadium had been an unlikely source of frustration for the Herons — three draws and a defeat in their previous four home fixtures at the new venue.

The 26,000-seat arena in Downtown Miami reported an atmosphere that was muted for much of the match, with organised supporters’ group La Familia staging a silent protest in the stands over a perceived lack of acknowledgement from the squad. The group began chanting only in the 85th minute.

A Subplot: Neville Returns to Miami

The fixture carried an extra layer of intrigue as Portland coach Phil Neville faced the club that dismissed him in 2023 — a departure widely understood to have been accelerated by Messi’s arrival in South Florida.

“At the start of the (2023) season, I was under no illusions that probably when/if he came in that I wouldn’t be here, and that’s totally fine,” Neville said ahead of the match. The Englishman has managed Portland since, while Miami have cycled through four coaches — including two interim appointments — all from Messi’s native Argentina.

Messi’s Form Heading Into the World Cup

Hoyos noted that Messi’s on-field expression has been the hallmark of this recent purple patch. “The players always, always look to create situations and plays,” Hoyos said. “They express themselves.”

Sunday’s brace of contributions — goal and assist — gave Messi a remarkable 11 goal involvements across his last four MLS appearances. He sits second in the Golden Boot race and leads the entire league in combined goal contributions with 18.

Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul was also involved in the build-up to both goals, underlining the chemistry the pair will take into the World Cup, which kicks off June 12.

What Comes Next

Inter Miami host the Philadelphia Union on May 24 (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV; FOX, FOX Deportes) — their final fixture before the World Cup break.

The club returns to MLS action on July 22 at home against Chicago Fire FC, by which point Messi may well be a freshly crowned two-time world champion.