Lionel Messi’s record-breaking streak of five consecutive multi-goal games in Major League Soccer came to an end on Wednesday as Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati.
The 38-year-old Argentine had netted two goals in each of his last five matches, bringing his season tally to 16 goals and helping Miami earn four wins and a draw during that stretch. It was his first five-game brace streak since 2012 with Barcelona.
But against Cincinnati, Miami struggled offensively—managing just two shots on target—while the hosts controlled the match from start to finish.
“Clearly today we were outplayed from the beginning of the match,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano via a translator. “We couldn’t win the individual battles. Maybe it’s because we’ve been going full throttle physically, and now we’re feeling the effects.”
Mascherano also mentioned that Messi picked up a knock late in the game but added, “it ended well.”
Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 16th minute through 20-year-old American midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela. Brazilian striker Evander then added a goal in the 50th minute and sealed the result with another in the 70th.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted,” Mascherano admitted. “They kept us under pressure, we lacked freshness and clarity. They were the better team.”
The loss drops Miami to 11-4-5 (38 points), sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference and trailing league-leaders Philadelphia by eight points. Miami still has three games in hand and could potentially close the gap with wins.
“The opponent outplayed us from start to finish,” Mascherano reiterated. “The performance and the result are both concerning. Now we have to rest and refocus for the next match.”
Inter Miami’s next fixture is Saturday away against the New York Red Bulls, who are coming off a 5-3 win over New England, with two goals apiece from Eric Choupo-Moting and Emil Forsberg.
Rodrigo De Paul Set to Join Messi in Miami
In transfer news, Inter Miami has reached an agreement to bring Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid. A source close to the negotiations told AFP that De Paul will join Miami on loan for the remainder of 2025, with a purchase option valued at over $12 million.
De Paul, 31, will reunite with Messi after winning the 2022 World Cup together. His debut could come on July 30 when Inter Miami faces Mexican side Atlas in the Leagues Cup.
The move is seen as a strategic push to entice Messi—whose current contract ends this year—to extend his stay through the 2026 season, when the club plans to open a new stadium in Miami.
De Paul will join a Miami squad already featuring Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was announced as the host of the 2026 MLS All-Star Game. This year’s All-Star matchup takes place next Wednesday in Austin, Texas, featuring MLS stars against a team of Liga MX All-Stars.
