Messi scored No. 899 of his career Saturday, March 7, leading Inter Miami to a 2-1 win against D.C. United in front of a record-setting crowd at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Rodrigo De Paul also scored for Inter Miami in front of 72,026 fans at the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, marking the largest crowd in D.C. United’s history and a top 10 standalone crowd all-time in MLS history.
Two days after Messi and Inter Miami visited President Donald Trump at the White House, Messi delivered a highlight moment early in the first half.
Messi converted after a stellar pass from Mateo Silvetti up through the left side of the pitch, floating the score over the head of D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 27th minute.
De Paul, Messi’s Argentine World Cup-winning teammate, opened the scoring in the 17th minute for the defending MLS Cup champions.
However, Messi failed to fire a shot in the second half – immediately leaving the pitch in frustration as time expired.
Inter Miami found themselves on the defensive end for much of the second half, especially in the closing moments.
D.C. United’s Tai Baribo scored a putback goal, rebounding a shot from Jackson Hopkins that was deflected by Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in the 75th minute.
Still, Inter Miami hung on for their second victory of the season.
The club has started its season playing three league matches, following five preseason games, on the road as it awaits the April 4 opening of its new venue, Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park.
“I think we have to appreciate the positive things,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the match. “Three games away, we’ve achieved two victories. There’s a lot to improve, but it’s always better to improve from a victory.”
Added St. Clair: “Obviously, we made it a little tougher on ourselves at the end there, but we were able to close up shop and make sure they don’t get the second to tie it up.”
Messi has scored 80 goals in 91 career matches with Inter Miami and is the young franchise’s all-time leader.
Inter Miami will visit rival Nashville SC in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 matchup on March 11, then resume MLS play at Charlotte FC on March 14.
Check out these highlights from the D.C. United vs. Inter Miami match:
D.C. United vs. Inter Miami highlights
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 1: Rodrigo De Paul misses in added time (92’)
Rodrigo De Paul had a chance to ice the match in added time, but his shot in front of the net soared into the stands.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 1: More than 70,000 fans in attendance
The most fans to watch a soccer match in Baltimore: An announced crowd of 72,026 fans attended the Messi match at M&T Bank Stadium.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 1: Tai Baribo scores goal (75’)
D.C. United’s Tai Baribo scores a putback goal, rebounding a shot from Jackson Hopkins that was deflected by Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair in the 75th minute. The final 15 minutes should be interesting.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Tadeo Allende comes on (71’)
Tadeo Allende, who scored nine goals during Inter Miami’s MLS Cup run last season, enters as a substitute in the 71st minute for Mateo Silvetti.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Louis Munteanu misses bicycle kick (61′)
D.C. United’s Louis Munteanu, who came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, nearly converted a bicycle kick in the 64th minute. His shot missed just outside the left post.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Another look at Messi’s goal
As the second half is underway, here’s another look at Messi’s goal scored in the first half.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Halftime recap
It’s been a one-sided affair in Baltimore: Lionel Messi scored the 899th goal of his career (27’), Rodrigo De Paul started the scoring (17’) and Inter Miami leads D.C. United 2-0 at halftime.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Messi nearly scores again (38’)
Messi fired another shot just outside the box in the 38th minute, trying to curl his shot toward the right post, but misses.
Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 0: Lionel Messi scores goal (27′)
Messi has gotten on the scoreboard, converting on a through pass from Mateo Silvetti to double Inter Miami’s lead. It’s Messi’s third goal of the MLS season, and No. 80 during his time with Inter Miami in 91 matches.
More important, Messi sits at 899 goals in his career – one away from No. 900.
Inter Miami 1, D.C. United 0: Rodrigo De Paul scores goal (17′)
Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul scores in the 17th minute on an assist from Telasco Segovia to take a 1-0 lead. Inter Miami scored off an impressive defensive stop by Germán Berterame to start the sequence.
Messi, Inter Miami vs. D.C. United match underway
Messi goes through pregame warmups
It’s a chilly and cloudy 55 degrees in Baltimore, but Messi and Inter Miami are getting ready to kick things off.
How to watch D.C. United vs. Inter Miami match?
The match will be available to live stream on Apple TV.
Watch MLS live on Apple TV
What time does the D.C. United vs. Inter Miami match begin?
The match begins at 4:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Messi, Inter Miami arrive to the Bank
Messi and Inter Miami have arrived for today’s match in Baltimore.
Is Messi playing today? Inter Miami, D.C. United starting lineups
Yes, Messi is healthy and in the starting lineup. Here’s the starting 11 for both sides.
Messi’s on all-time scoring list
Messi is second only behind Cristiano Ronaldo on soccer’s all-time scoring list (965 goals). If Messi scores twice against DC United, both players will be the only in history to surpass 900 goals.
Among active players: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (691) and Messi’s Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez (600) are next on the list.
Messi meets Trump at White House visit
Messi stood beside Trump and Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas as his teammates and coaches stood behind them during a ceremony at the White House to commemorate the club’s 2025 MLS Cup title.
“We complied with a protocol that is a tradition to come to the White House for being the championships team,” Mascherano said Friday. “We were there a few hours, got to see a little bit of the White House, not much, what we could. The contact with President Trump was what was seen on TV, not much more than that.”
Check out these highlights from Inter Miami’s visit.
Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina
March 11: Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
March 14: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
March 27: Spain vs. Argentina, 2 p.m. ET (Finalissima)
March 31: Qatar vs. Argentina, TBD (International friendly)
April 4: Inter Miami vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
