Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat Columbus Crew 3-2 to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time in their history.

Messi tapped home the opening goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, before doubling his side’s advantage with a glorious free kick after five minutes of added time before the break.

Colombus pulled one back immediately after the restart through Diego Rossi, but Messi’s old friend Luis Suarez responded straight away with a header to ultimately put the game beyond Columbus, who saw Juan Hernandez score a penalty on the hour mark before going down to ten men when Rudy Camacho was shown two yellow cards.

For Miami, it’s their first piece of MLS silverware, having previously won the inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023.

“I am happy,” Messi reflected to Apple TV. “Happy that we did it.

“At the beginning of the year we knew that this was a group to fight for this. We took charge from the beginning, we had the players to do this. I am happy to secure the first objective, and we’re thinking of the next.

“I think since the arrival of [manager] Gerardo Martino and us [Jordi Alba, Suarez and Sergio Busquets], the idea was clear to be protagonist and chase the ball, have the ball and possession. Important players arrived to grow the team in terms of the game and personality. We try to compete in every game.”

Martino added: “I’ve been here one year, I’m happy that we’ve been able to win two titles with [Messi].”

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD