Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez power Inter Miami to 4-0 win over D.C. United days after Argentina retirement

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Lionel Messi returned to MLS in decisive fashion just four days after his retirement sendoff with Argentina, scoring twice as Inter Miami CF defeated D.C. United 4-0 in a Walmart Saturday Showdown at Nu Stadium. MLS listed the match as the latest club-level chapter for the 39-year-old, whose Argentina finale came against Benin, where he recorded a goal and an assist in that international match.

Inter Miami’s win was built on a top-to-bottom attacking output in the match’s final scoreboard, with MLS reporting that Messi scored two goals while Luis Suárez contributed two goals and one assist. The combined production guided the Herons to a dominant four-goal margin over D.C. United in their return to league action.

MLS framed the result as part of Messi’s continued league momentum following Argentina retirement, noting that the brace moved his MLS season total to 23 goals and 13 assists. The league also reported that Messi sits four goals ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa atop the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race, with Messi pursuing a second consecutive Golden Boot title.

Beyond the Golden Boot pursuit, MLS said Messi’s current output also places him in position for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and a potential historic three-time run. The league’s coverage specifically tied that possibility to a “three-peat” scenario that could make Messi the first player to win the honor three times.

Luis Suárez was also highlighted as a key figure for Inter Miami in the league’s match recap. MLS reported that Suárez has reached 15 goals and nine assists this season, and it noted that it is his third consecutive year with double-digit goals and 20-plus goal contributions.

Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzáles linked Suárez’s impact to his commitment to the team in post-match remarks provided by MLS. Gonzáles said, “Luis is one of the most important players on the squad,” and added, “He’s totally committed, not only to us but to the club,” before emphasizing, “Anybody who didn’t understand before should understand now that he’s a fundamental player for this team.”

MLS also positioned the victory as significant for Inter Miami’s Eastern Conference standing at a moment when the club had been seeking stability. The league’s report stated that heading into the September/October international break, the Herons had recorded just one win in their previous 10 games, and it described Saturday’s result as a breakout performance under Gonzáles’ leadership.

According to MLS, the win helped Inter Miami avoid the possibility of slipping as low as fifth in the Eastern Conference and instead solidified the team’s hold on second place behind the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference-leading Nashville SC. MLS presented that shift as a practical consequence of the match for the Herons’ table position heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

With six regular-season games remaining, MLS said Inter Miami will look to continue its rise in the standings. The league reported that the Herons begin their next stretch with Wednesday’s home match against New York City FC, scheduled for 7:30 pm ET on Apple TV, as Inter Miami aims to win back-to-back games for the first time since July.