It’s not often Lionel Messi scores with his head. But when he does, it’s often in the biggest stages. When the spotlight shines the brightest, the 38-year-old star rises to the occasion, and he did just that with a great header to open the scoring for Inter Miami against FC Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Facing FC Cincinnati on the road at TQL Stadium in the Conference Semifinals, Inter Miami needed Messi to steer them to safe harbor. In such a pivotal win-or-go-home matchup in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the star in Vice City made sure to perform, finding the back of the net to open the scoring.
One would imagine FC Cincinnati would keep their eyes on Messi at all times. However, the little magician still found a way to fly under the radar and make an immediate impact in the decisive showdown.
Messi got loose inside the penalty box, and the Herons’ star made Cincinnati pay with a great header to give his team an early 1-0 lead. Mateo Silvetti delivered a perfect cross that fell right into Messi’s path. All the Argentinian star had to do was get his head on it, and the ball drifted into the lower-left corner of the goal.
Messi’s first ever goal against FC Cincinnati
Coming into this game, Messi had faced FC Cincinnati twice since joining Inter Miami. The first meeting was in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, when the Herons and the Garys tied 3-3. Although he registered two assists, Messi had never scored against the club in the Queen City. He was also held scoreless during this year’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. However, in their biggest matchup yet, Messi has now scored his first goal against them—one that could prove pivotal.
What’s at stake?
The winner between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami will move on to the Eastern Conference Final in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Although both teams finished the regular season with 65 points, FC Cincinnati secured home-field advantage against Inter Miami thanks to their 20 wins in the campaign—the Herons registered 19.
Whichever side comes out on top will go on to face the winner of the Semifinal between the No. 1 Philadelphia Union and No. 5 New York City FC. Both the Orange and Blue and the Herons would need NYCFC to win in order to play at home in the Conference Final. Otherwise, either team will have to travel to the City of Brotherly Love.