Messi Strikes Again: 40th Goal Saves Inter Miami in 1-1 Draw vs Toronto FC

Messi Does It Again: A Left-Footed Masterclass Secures a Draw for Inter Miami

Another day, another moment of magic from the football legend himself—Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar continues to prove that age is just a number and the MLS is no exception to his highlight reel career. On a breezy Sunday night under the Florida lights, Messi lit up the pitch with a spectacular left-footed volley that leveled the match and rescued a point for Inter Miami in their 1-1 draw against Toronto FC.

Let’s talk about that goal for a second.

It came in the dying moments of the first half—five minutes into stoppage time, to be exact. Messi positioned himself perfectly at the top of the 18-yard box, waited for the ball to drop, and then—bang!—a stunning volley with his magical left foot. The kind of strike that reminds you why he's considered one of the greatest of all time. That was goal number 40 for him since donning the pink and black of Inter Miami. Yep, forty goals across all competitions, making him the undisputed top scorer in franchise history.

⚽ Big Goals, Big Moments

This wasn't just any goal—it was clutch.

Toronto had taken the lead just three minutes earlier, courtesy of Federico Bernardeschi, and for a brief moment, it looked like they might notch their first win of the season. But Messi, as he's done countless times before, had other plans. In true GOAT fashion, he erased their hopes almost instantly. That equalizer silenced Toronto’s celebrations before they could even fully begin.

Believe it or not, Toronto FC had only been ahead in a match once all season before this game—a 19-minute lead against Chicago last month. So for Messi to strike back that quickly? That’s classic Messi. Ruthless. Efficient. Ice-cold under pressure.

🔥 Messi’s Impact So Far in 2025 MLS

Here’s a stat that might raise your eyebrows: Messi has now scored in three of the four MLS matches he's played this season. And even in the one game he didn’t score, he still walked away with an assist. That means he’s had at least one point (goal or assist) in every MLS match he’s appeared in this season.

Talk about showing up consistently.

And Inter Miami is absolutely thriving when he’s on the field. Including matches in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the club is now 8-1-2 across all competitions this season. The only loss? A narrow 1-0 defeat against LAFC in the Champions Cup quarterfinals. That battle isn't over, though—the second leg is set for Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale, and you can bet Messi will be fired up for it.

📊 Inter Miami’s Strong Start

Right now, Inter Miami holds a 4-0-2 record in MLS, which places them just one point behind the Eastern Conference leaders, Columbus Crew. And the best part? Miami still has a game in hand. So if they play their cards right (and if Messi keeps doing Messi things), they could jump to the top spot in no time.

And honestly, it feels like a matter of when, not if.

Messi isn’t doing it alone, of course. The team has been putting in solid performances overall, but having a living legend orchestrating attacks, delivering assists, and pulling off ridiculous volleys definitely helps your chances. Just ask Toronto.

⛔ The One That Got Away (Almost)

Funny enough, Messi actually had another goal in that first half—well, almost. He had found the back of the net earlier, but it got chalked off after the ref ruled he had committed a foul just moments before scoring. It was one of those borderline calls that fans love to debate, but hey, when you're Messi, you just shake it off and score an even better one minutes later.

And that’s exactly what he did.

🗓 What’s Next?

There’s no time to rest in this season’s packed schedule.

• Inter Miami returns to MLS action next Sunday when they hit the road to face Chicago Fire. That should be another exciting clash, especially with Messi on a roll.

• Meanwhile, Toronto FC will try to regroup and go hunting for their elusive first win of the season when they host Minnesota United at home this coming Saturday.

Toronto’s still winless with a 0-4-3 record, and if Sunday night showed anything, it's that they still have work to do defensively. Even when they manage to score first, holding that lead against a team like Inter Miami—especially with Messi lurking—is a whole different ball game.

⭐ Why This Matters

Let’s zoom out for a second. Messi isn’t just scoring goals—he’s redefining what star power looks like in Major League Soccer. He’s filling stadiums, boosting TV ratings, and making soccer a bigger conversation in the U.S. With every dazzling goal, he's proving that this MLS chapter of his career isn’t some retirement tour—it’s another thrilling act in a storybook legacy.

If you’re an Inter Miami fan, you’ve probably got your popcorn ready every game night. If you’re a Toronto fan, you’re wondering what it’ll take to finally seal that first W. And if you're just a casual fan of the sport, well—you're getting spoiled with world-class moments week in and week out.

🔑 Quick Highlights

Here’s a rapid-fire look at the key takeaways from Sunday night’s showdown:

• Messi scores his 40th goal for Inter Miami with a brilliant volley.

• Match ends 1-1: Messi’s goal cancels out Bernardeschi’s opener.

• Messi’s streak continues: Points in every MLS match played this season.

• Inter Miami stays unbeaten in MLS with 4 wins, 2 draws.

• Toronto still searching for their first win of the season.

At this point, you almost expect Messi to do something incredible every game—and that’s the fun of it. Whether it’s a screamer from distance or a slick assist out of nowhere, you know something’s coming.

So yeah, Lionel Messi in MLS? Still must-watch soccer.

And we’re all here for it.