Lionel Messi added another historic milestone to his Inter Miami career during a 2-2 draw with San Diego FC at Nu Stadium. The Argentine captain curled home a left-footed free kick in the 24th minute for his 20th MLS goal of the season and his 101st goal for Inter Miami across all competitions.
Despite Messi’s individual brilliance and a second-half goal from Luis Suárez, Inter Miami could not secure victory. San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer scored twice, including an 82nd-minute equaliser, as the Herons were held to a fourth consecutive draw in MLS.
The match began with immediate intensity as San Diego took the lead in the 12th minute. Jeppe Tverskov played a through ball into Dreyer’s path, and the Danish forward beat Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with a composed chip.
Messi responded 12 minutes later in trademark fashion. Awarded a free kick from the right side of the attacking third, the Argentine sent his left-footed delivery through the penalty area and into the far side of the net to level the score. It was his eighth free-kick goal since joining MLS in 2023, more than any other player in the league during that period.
Inter Miami took the lead in the 74th minute through Suárez, who finished from a tight angle and appeared to have secured a crucial three points. However, San Diego refused to fold. Dreyer broke through Inter Miami’s defensive line eight minutes later and fired home his second goal of the match to make it 2-2.
The draw was Kily González’s first MLS match in charge of Inter Miami and extended a difficult run of results for the club. Miami had hoped to overtake New England Revolution for second place in the Eastern Conference but instead remained on 46 points from 26 matches, with a record of 12 wins, four defeats and 10 draws.
Messi’s goal did, however, secure another major personal landmark. He became only the second player in MLS history to score 20 or more regular-season goals in three consecutive campaigns, joining LAFC forward Denis Bouanga. Messi scored 20 league goals in 2024, 29 in 2025 and has now reached 20 again in 2026.
The strike also extended Messi’s lead in the 2026 Golden Boot race. With eight regular-season matches remaining, the Inter Miami captain has 20 goals and 13 assists, giving him 33 direct goal contributions as he pursues a third Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
For Inter Miami, however, the frustration remained. Messi’s latest moment of brilliance was not enough to end the club’s run of draws, and the Herons will need to turn their attacking quality into victories if they are to improve their position in the Eastern Conference during the final stretch of the regular season.
