Messi scores 899th goal as Inter Miami beat DC United in MLS

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi moved closer to another goalscoring milestone as Inter Miami claimed their second win of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season with a 2-1 victory over DC United on Saturday.

Messi, who scored two goals in Miami’s Florida derby win over Orlando last week, scored his third goal of the season with a deft chipped finish in the 27th minute at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.

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The Argentina captain’s 80th goal for Miami brings his career total to 899, leaving him just one milestone away from the 900-goal mark.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turns 39 in June, scored 672 goals for Barcelona earlier in his career and 32 for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as well as a further 115 international goals for Argentina.

Saturday’s win moved the reigning MLS champions to third place in the Eastern Conference standings with six points from three games.

Miami, who were guests of US President Donald Trump at a reception at the White House on Thursday, took the lead in the 17th minute with a splendid curling shot from the edge of the area by Messi’s Argentine teammate, Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi then doubled Miami’s lead 10 minutes later, latching on to a sublime through ball from Mateo Silvetti and slotting an early goal past advancing DC United goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

United rallied after the break and found hope again when Israeli striker Tai Baribo scored a goal in the 75th minute.

Miami managed to hold off United in the closing stages to seal the victory.

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