WATCH: Lionel Messi's heartwarming gesture as he invites 2 Inter Miami teammates to lift MLS Supporters' Shield
Lionel Messi showed his unselfishness even in celebration as he asked two of his Inter Miami teammates to lift the MLS Supporters' Shield with him. The Herons presented their first trophy of the season to fans at their Chase Stadium home after ending the regular season in style.
Messi's Inter Miami were confirmed as champions of the regular season earlier this month after a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew. The win came on the road, and they haven't played a home game since then, having travelled to Toronto for their penultimate game of the season.
Following their final game of the season, a 6-2 home win over New England Revolution, the Herons received the Supporters' Shield in front of their fans. When the time came to lift the trophy, captain Messi showed great humility with his gesture as he invited Sergio Busquets and Drake Callender to lift it with him.
Here's the video:
Lionel Messi did the same thing in 2023, when he invited the club's past captain De'Andre Yedlin to lift the Leagues Cup with him. In inviting Busquets and Callender, he acknowledged them as the two most senior players in the squad.
The Supporters' Shield is the 46th trophy of Messi's illustrious career, more than any other player in history. He has now won two trophies in a season and a half with the Herons and is aiming for a third in the playoffs.
Lionel Messi nets back-to-back hat-tricks as Inter Miami crush Revolution
Lionel Messi made it two hat-tricks in the space of a week as he helped Inter Miami claim a 6-2 win over New England Revolution in their MLS regular season finale. The 37-year-old scored thrice for Argentina as they beat Bolivia 6-0 at home in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier earlier this week before repeating the trick with his club.
Summoned off the bench after 58 minutes, Messi took 20 minutes to get going and didn't look back. The mercurial forward scored his first of the game after 78 minutes, finishing off a deft back-heel assist from Luis Suarez with a fierce shot.
Lionel Messi scored his second with a smart finish three minutes later after beating the offside trap. The former Barcelona man completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute, finishing off a perfectly executed passing sequence in the box.