Lionel Messi logs another milestone as Inter Miami earns 2-2 draw with San Diego FC

Lionel Messi reached an MLS milestone for Inter Miami CF, scoring his 20th goal of the season during the Herons’ 2-2 draw with San Diego FC in Matchday 27 Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire, according to MLSSoccer.com. The league said Messi curled home a free kick in the match.

The goal made Messi the second player in MLS history to score 20+ goals in three consecutive seasons, joining Denis Bouanga of LAFC, who did it from 2023 to 2025. MLSSoccer.com also reported that Messi’s strike extended his lead in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race, where he is listed with a league-best 33 goal contributions, including 20 goals and 13 assists.

MLSSoccer.com noted that Messi could become the first three-time Landon Donovan MLS MVP, with eight regular-season matches remaining. Earlier in the week, the publication reported, Messi helped Inter Miami bring home the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup with a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-0 victory over Liga MX side Cruz Azul, scoring the 100th goal of his Miami career across all competitions.

With his free-kick goal versus San Diego FC, the publication said Messi has 101 goals and counting with Inter Miami, taking into account his MLS and all-competition production for the club since joining in July 2023.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk