Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, center, attacks the net while defended by CF Montreal’s Luca Petrasso (13) and Caden Clark, right, during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

The game started off poorly for Miami. In the second minute, Messi sent a back pass directly into the path of Montreal forward Prince Owusu, who scored an easy goal on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Lionel Messi was once again the best player on the pitch as Inter Miami CF secured a dominant 4–1 win over CF Montréal in their first MLS match since returning from the FIFA Club World Cup. While the game started with a bit of a defensive mishap,