Lionel Messi and Inter Miami secured their first piece of silverware of the 2024 MLS campaign, wrapping up the Supporters Shield for most points in the regular season with a thrilling 3-2 win against reigning champions Columbus Crew.
Sitting now on 68 points with two games remaining, the Herons can also break the MLS regular season points record set by New England in 2021.
That history will be achieved if Miami pick up two wins from their final two games to conclude the regular season campaign, which will see them finish with 74 points from 34 games, one more than New England’s tally of 73.
While Lionel Messi has spent large portions of the campaign on the physio’s table, it was the Herons’ stars that led them to their first trophy of the season.
With two games remaining, the star duo Luis Suárez and Messi have combined for 35 goals and 21 assists between them.
Both South Americans scored during Miami’s famous victory, with the Argentine netting a stunning free-kick to secure his brace and the Uruguayan capitalizing on a goalkeeper error.
Columbus did rally despite going a man down when defender Rudy Camacho was sent off at the hour mark, but Drake Callender later saved Cucho Hernández’s potential game-tying penalty.
While one piece of silverware has been added to the growing cabinet in south Florida, Tata Martino’s men will turn their attention the true prize, MLS Cup.