Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to Playoff Spot with Win Over New York City FC

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi played a key role in helping his team secure a playoff spot in Major League Soccer (MLS) by defeating New York City FC 2-0 on October 14, 2026. The match took place at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Messi assisted in setting up a goal for Rodrigo De Paul, while German Berterame ended his scoring drought by netting the other goal. This victory marked the second consecutive win for Inter Miami under head coach Cristian ‘Kily’ Gonzalez, who took over last month.

Gonzalez expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting that while there is still room for improvement, they are making steady progress. Messi, who had recently returned to the team after an emotional send-off with the Argentina national team, was a constant threat during the match.

The first goal came in the 20th minute when Messi passed the ball to De Paul, who then assisted Berterame for a simple finish. De Paul scored the second goal just before halftime, with Messi again playing a crucial role in the setup.

The second half did not see any goals, but Messi had a chance to extend the lead with a curling shot that went over the bar. New York City FC, struggling with just one win in their last eleven matches, had a late opportunity to score from a penalty kick. However, Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, made an impressive save.

With this win, Inter Miami solidified their position in second place in the Eastern Conference, ensuring home-field advantage in the upcoming playoffs.