Lionel Messi will aim for more success in 2026. His Inter Miami side captured its first-ever MLS Cup title last season and will look to defend it — and add further silverware too — in its first season at Miami Freedom Park, the club’s new stadium.
More importantly though, Messi will captain Argentina in North America as they attempt to defend their FIFA World Cup crown, with him targeting a second title and a fourth for his country overall in what could be his final tournament.
As the 38-year-old continues to feature for both club and country, ESPN will track his performances game by game, providing stats and analysis each time he pulls on a Herons or Albiceleste jersey.
Messi’s 2026 tally:
-
Games played: 10
-
Goals: 7
-
Assists: 1
April 4: Inter Miami 2-2 Austin FC
Inter Miami opened Nu Stadium the only way it knows how: With a Messi goal. The No. 10 began the move in trademark style with a left-footed pass to a teammate before moving past a defender and arriving in the box at just the right time to head past goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
March 31: Argentina 5-0 Zambia
It was the last day of the month and perhaps the last game for Messi playing for Argentina playing in his native country, but they put on a show defeating the African side Zambia 5-0. Messi scored the second goal for Lionel Scaloni’s side as focus will shift now to Miami until the beginning of the World Cup.
March 27: Argentina 2-1 Mauritania
In his first game for his country in 2026, Messi only played the second half as Argentina won 2-1 against Mauritania at the mythical La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, as the World Cup champions continue to prepare to defend their title this summer in North America.
March 22: NYCFC 2-3 Inter Miami
1:27
Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami downs NYCFC
Inter Miami grabs the 3-2 win as Lionel Messi finds the back of the net in the second half.
It was a thrilling encounter in the Bronx, as the Argentine star helped his team to a 3-2 win over NYCFC, which also included another trademark free kick goal, now beginning his course for potentially 1,000 career goals. Only 99 goals left!
March 18: Inter Miami 1-1 Nashville SC
Messi may have made history on Wednesday night, becoming just the second men’s player in history to score 900 career goals, but it wasn’t enough to seal Miami’s progress in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The Argentina legend found the back of the net in the seventh minute at Chase Stadium, but his strike was cancelled out by Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza — sealing the Herons’ tournament exit on the away goals rule.
March 11: Nashville SC 0-0 Inter Miami
A drab night for Messi and Co. in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Plenty of possession but few shots on target mean that the Herons will return to Chase Stadium know a win will be needed to ensure progression.
March 7: D.C. United 1-2 Inter Miami
Silvetti. Messi. 2-0.
Pure class from Miami in Baltimore. 😍 pic.twitter.com/9IpJdGyPUi
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 7, 2026
It was quite an eventful week for Messi. Just days before Miami’s match against D.C. United, Messi and the entire squad visited the White House and met President Donald Trump and were eager to put on a show for the sold-out crowd of over 70,000 at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
And they did just that, with a 2-1 win over D.C. United. Messi, of course, scored Miami’s second and is now one goal away from 900 career goals.
March 1: Orlando City 2-4 Inter Miami
1:11
Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami CF – Game Highlights
Well, that blip didn’t last long! Messi and Miami roared back into life with a 4-2 thrashing of Orlando on Sunday thanks to the 38-year-old’s wizardry.
Things looked ominous for the Herons after the first 45 minutes, down 2-0 and looking on course to start the MLS season with two bleak losses.
But two goals and an assist from Messi in the second half dragged the visitors back in the game and helped secure Miami their first points of the season.
Feb. 21: LAFC 3-0 Inter Miami
Messi and Miami aimed to start 2026 firing on all cylinders, but it was the hosts who spoiled the defending MLS Cup champions’ opener at the LA Coliseum. In front of a sellout crowd of 75,673 — the second-highest attendance in MLS history — Miami were outplayed, with LAFC’s Denis Bouanga getting a goal and an assist in a convincing home victory.
The main talking point, however, emerged after the final whistle. Messi was initially reported to have gained unauthorized access to the officials’ locker room after video circulated showing him near the area. However, it was later reported that no league policy had been violated and Messi was cleared of any wrongdoing. Miami will now turn its attention next weekend against fellow Florida side Orlando City.
