Messi’s Goal Streak Ends as Inter Miami Lose 3-0 to FC Cincinnati
Lionel Messi’s impressive streak of scoring multiple goals in five consecutive Major League Soccer matches has come to an end. Inter Miami were beaten 3-0 by FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Wednesday night, marking a tough evening for the Florida club. Messi, who had been in top form, scoring two goals in each of his last five games, failed to find the net this time. Inter Miami struggled overall and only managed two shots on target throughout the match.
FC Cincinnati took control early on, scoring the opener in the 16th minute through young American midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela. The second goal came just after the break when Brazilian forward Evander found the back of the net in the 50th minute. He scored again in the 70th minute, completing a brace that sealed Cincinnati’s convincing win. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano admitted that his team looked tired, stating, “Physically we come with a very big hustle and bustle, and in the long run we end up paying.”
Despite having three games in hand, Inter Miami now sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 38 points, trailing Philadelphia, who top the table, by eight points. If they are to climb back to first place, they must win all their outstanding matches. Messi was seen limping slightly toward the end of the game, but Mascherano later confirmed there was no cause for concern and said the forward “ended well.”
Meanwhile, Inter Miami are preparing to welcome another major signing. Rodrigo De Paul, a key member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, is set to join the club from Atletico Madrid. The deal includes a loan arrangement through the end of the 2025 season with an option to buy worth over $12 million. De Paul is expected to debut on July 30 during the Leagues Cup match against Atlas. This move would reunite him with Messi, and it’s believed that his arrival could influence Messi’s decision to extend his time with the club.
Inter Miami already features a lineup of stars including Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets—former teammates of Messi during his time at Barcelona. They will now shift their focus to their next game against the New York Red Bulls, who are coming off an impressive 5-3 victory over New England Revolution. All eyes will be on whether Messi and De Paul’s reunion can boost Miami’s title hopes in the coming weeks.
