If you needed any more proof that Lionel Messi is must-watch television in Major League Soccer, Saturday's match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF delivered it in emphatic fashion. The Argentine superstar netted two goals and added an assist as the Herons mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Cincinnati 5-3 in one of the most electric matches of the MLS season.
The game was everything soccer fans could have asked for — end-to-end action, momentum swings, and Messi doing what Messi does. Cincinnati came out swinging and held a lead at various points, but Inter Miami's quality proved too much to handle in the end. The Herons clawed back and ultimately ran out 5-3 winners in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Messi was at the center of it all. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner finished with two goals and an assist, and reports indicate he had a third goal controversially cancelled — a decision that drew plenty of attention online and sparked debate among MLS fans nationwide. According to Goal.com, an explainer on why that hat-trick goal was disallowed became one of the most-read stories to come out of the match.
But the real story wasn't just Messi — it was the collective performance of Inter Miami. A hat-trick hero emerged from the Herons' lineup as well, helping shoulder the offensive load alongside their iconic No. 10. Miami's defense, however, was far from airtight, allowing three goals to a dangerous Cincinnati side that features midfielder Evander, one of MLS's most creative players. The Herons will need to tighten things up at the back if they want to compete deep into the postseason.
For FC Cincinnati, the loss stings. They had the firepower to make it a contest and did so for long stretches, but containing Messi for 90 minutes remains one of the toughest assignments in American soccer. On this night, they simply couldn't do it.
Why does this matter to US soccer fans? Messi's presence in MLS continues to elevate the league's profile both domestically and globally. Matches like this one — chaotic, high-scoring, and star-driven — are exactly the kind of content that draws casual viewers into becoming devoted fans. Every Messi performance is a reminder of what MLS has become and where it's heading.
Inter Miami's comeback win keeps their campaign rolling, and with Messi healthy and in form, few teams in the Eastern Conference will want to see the Herons come playoff time. This was a statement night — messy, brilliant, and thoroughly entertaining.