Lionel Messi scored twice, including a stunning 79th-minute winner, to give Inter Miami a crucial victory in new interim coach Guillermo Hoyos’ first game in charge on Saturday.
Mexican striker Germán Bertirami also got on the scoresheet in Miami’s 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids in front of a crowd of 75,824 – the second-highest attendance in MLS history – at Empower Field at Mile High.
This was Miami’s first game since Javier Mascherano stepped down as head coach last Tuesday, just four months after leading the club to its first MLS Cup title.
MESSI MAGIC AT MILE HIGH! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cJaO56dDhI
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026
Hoyos, whose relationship with Messi dates back to their time together at Barcelona’s La Masia academy more than 20 years ago, has been appointed to lead the first team for the “coming games” ahead, moving from his current role as sporting director.
Messi raised his tally to seven goals this season, equaling Sam Surridge and Petar Musa as the top scorers in the American league.
