Lionel Messi scores but Miami's late collapse costs them

Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal but Inter Miami conceded a gut-wrenching stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC. The result deals a significant blow to Miami's hopes of catching the Eastern Conference leaders in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

Messi looked to have secured all three points for his team with a moment of pure class. In the 62nd minute, he combined with his longtime Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul before curling a precise left-footed finish into the side of the net from 20 yards out. It was a goal that seemed destined to be the winner.

Twice Messi came close to extending the lead and scoring his 100th goal for the club in all competitions. Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake made a fine save to push one effort onto the post, and defender Jeisson Palacios produced a last-ditch headed clearance to deny another. Those misses proved costly. In the first minute of added time, Sam Surridge fired home to snatch a 2-2 draw for the visitors. Surridge had also opened the scoring after just four minutes.

Miami has now dropped 11 points from winning positions at home this season, a league high. "Obviously, there's frustration," Miami defender Facundo Mura said. "Feeling like we were the better side only to have the three points snatched away in the final moments." The draw leaves Miami trailing Nashville by nine points with just nine games remaining in the regular season.

Across the football world, tributes are being organized for Messi following his international retirement. The Argentine Football Association confirmed that every match in the upcoming round of the Clausura tournament, and in other domestic leagues, will feature a special tribute. Referees will pause play at the 10-minute mark for a minute of applause in honor of Messi's 21-year national team career.

The 39-year-old forward, who wore the iconic number 10, announced his retirement from Argentina duty on Monday. He leaves as the nation's most decorated player, having led them to the 2022 World Cup title and two other finals. Messi made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals, both national records. Despite being idolized at home, he never played professionally in Argentina, having moved to Barcelona at age 13.

Beyond the pitch, Messi is expanding his business footprint in Spain. He is set to purchase the entirety of Deportivo Eldense, a club based in Alicante. The deal with the current owners, the Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group, is not yet legally finalized. It remains subject to due diligence and approval from Spain's High Council for Sports.

Ruben Alfaro, the mayor of Elda, confirmed an agreement in principle exists but cautioned that all parties must wait for the official completion. If finalized, Messi will become the sole owner of the club, which plays in a stadium with a capacity of roughly 5,800 spectators. This follows his purchase of a stake in UE Cornellà, a fifth-division club in Catalonia, in April 2026. These investments highlight his enduring ties to Spanish football and a focus on youth development.

Despite Argentina's loss in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi's individual performances have earned him yet another nomination for football's top individual prize. He received his 17th Ballon d'Or nomination, an extraordinary record. His eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the shortlist this time.

Messi helped inspire Argentina to the final, where they were defeated by Spain. He scored eight goals during the tournament, a tally bettered only by Kylian Mbappé's ten. While a ninth Ballon d'Or seems a long shot after a team defeat, his continued presence on the list speaks to his lasting influence and elite standard.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Messi's brilliant 62nd-minute goal was not enough as Miami conceded a 91st-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Nashville.
• The Argentine Football Association will orchestrate a league-wide minute of applause at the 10-minute mark to honor Messi's international retirement.
• Messi is in the process of acquiring full ownership of Spanish club Deportivo Eldense, his second such investment in Spain this year.