Lionel Messi was scoreless and played the distance, but appeared somewhat limited in the second half as Inter Miami defeated the Columbus Crew, 1-0, in a battle of unbeaten MLS clubs on April 19 in Cleveland.
An announced crowd of 60,614 people at Huntington Bank Field, home of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, was on hand to watch the match, setting a Crew franchise attendance record and the stadium’s record for a non-NFL event.
Benjamin Cremaschi scored the only goal, diving in front of the net to score a header in the 30th minute to propel Inter Miami to victory and ahead of the Crew atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
However, Messi walked off the pitch with a limp immediately toward the locker room area, Apple TV analyst Taylor Twellman said as the match concluded.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said he didn’t see any sign of Messi being injured during the match.
“As far as I know, nothing happened. I didn’t see it happen, but then I saw him here in the locker room, and as far as I know, nothing. I’ll ask the doctors now, but they haven’t said anything to me,” Mascherano said of Messi after the victory.
If Messi did experience any discomfort, it will have to be managed quickly.
Inter Miami will play the first of two matches against the MLS Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal on April 24. Inter Miami will also host FC Dallas on April 27, and finish their Champions Cup series at home on April 30. The Champions Cup is one of five trophies Inter Miami will compete for during the 2025 season.
It was the first match in six days for Messi and Inter Miami — after Messi played every minute in Inter Miami’s last four matches in a span of 11 days.
The Crew’s demand for the ball in the second half is also a reason why Messi had a quiet day. Columbus dominated possession, firing away and failing to convert on their opportunities. The Crew outshot Inter Miami 16-6, but had just three shots on goal all saved by Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Messi fired a left boot slightly wide left of the net just before halftime, and sent another long shot from midfield near the end of the match to keep the ball away from Columbus in the final minutes.
“This is a huge result for the team,” Cremaschi said during a sideline interview after the match. “We’re happy for these three points.
It was an opportunity that left Crew coach Wilfred Nancy smiling in disbelief, as he even gave a lighthearted hug to the sideline official following the sequence.
The Columbus Crew won MLS Cup in 2023, and the Leagues Cup in 2024 — one year after Inter Miami won the summer tournament between MLS and LIGA MX clubs.
Messi scored two goals to help Inter Miami beat the Crew to secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield last season in their last matchup on Oct. 2, 2024. Inter Miami is 2-0 against Columbus with Messi in the lineup.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami match highlights
Lionel Messi fires a shot but misses before halftime: Inter Miami 1, Columbus 0
Messi had few opportunities in the first half, including this shot he fired just before halftime but missed.
Benjamin Cremaschi goal: Inter Miami 1, Columbus 0
Inter Miami strikes first in this one, and it’s Benjamin Cremaschi scoring with a diving header on a cross from Marcelo Weigandt in the 30th minute. Luis Suarez also gets an assist for creating the opportunity with his lead pass.
How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The match is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Is Lionel Messi playing today in Cleveland?
Messi was announced as a starter in the Inter Miami starting lineup before the game.
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew recent history
In Messi’s only match against Columbus, he scored two goals as Inter Miami clinched the MLS Supporters’ Shield last season in their last matchup on Oct. 2, 2024.
Will Lionel Messi play in World Cup 2026?
Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star, said he thinks about playing in the next World Cup but will first consider his health before reaching a final decision.
“The truth is, if you stop and think about it, it feels far away, but at the same time, time flies. … I’ll see how I feel. Of course I think about it, but I don’t want to set goals either,” Messi said during an interview with Simplemente Futbol, released on April 17.
How to watch MLS games: Xfinity, DirecTV, T-Mobile
Soccer fans with Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV can subscribe and watch MLS Season Pass through the TV providers. Xfinity customers can access MLS games within the channel guide on X1, the Xfinity Stream app, and the X1 Sports app. DirecTV customers can find MLS games on channels 480-495. T-Mobile users can also access MLS Season Pass for free.
Messi shares MLS Season Pass free trial
Lionel Messi has shared a link for a one-month free trial to MLS Season Pass: Apple.co/MessiGift.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
April 24: Vancouver vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
April 27: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 5 p.m. ET (MLS)
April 30: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (Champions Cup semifinal first leg)
May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET