Lionel Messi Clinches 46th Career Title As He Leads Inter Miami To First League Title

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi netted twice against Columbus Crew to lead Major League Soccer (MLS)  side Inter Miami to their first league title and consequently his 46th career trophy. The 37-year-old was confined for much of the first half.

However, he controlled a well-weighted pass by his former Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba, and found the net. A couple of minutes later, the Argentinean scored a second. This was through a well-timed free kick that went past the Crew’s wall and goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte.

Columbus pulled one back and got some hope of getting something from the game through Diego Rossi. Miami wasn’t letting their party get spoiled as Luis Suarez scored a third after a mistake from defender Rudy Camacho and goalie, Schulte.

The Crew was not yet done as Cucho Hernandez scored a second through a penalty to bring back some hope. Despite this momentum from the home side, Camacho was sent off after a studs-up challenge on Federico Redondo.

Still, there was some hope left for Columbus Crew as they got a penalty in the last minutes of the game. This was after a VAR review deemed a handball by Ian Fray.

Goalkeeper Drake Callendar dived to save Cucho Hernandez’s penalty to make sure Inter Miami clinched all three points. This earned the MLS Supporters Shield trophy for the Eastern Conference.

The remaining play offs;

The David Beckham-owned side will however have to play in the playoffs of the MLS with a couple of other sides to clinch the MLS Cup.

This means that inter Miami could still face Columbus Crew. And they could also win another trophy besides the one they won last night.

For Lionel Messi, this further cements him as the most decorated footballer ever in terms of trophies. He previously held the record with 45 after winning the Copa America in July.