Messi scores twice for Miami in 1st game since Argentina farewell

Four days on from an emotional end to his international career with Argentina, Lionel Messi continued to shine for Inter Miami, scoring twice in a 4-0 home thumping of D.C. United.

The 39-year-old's double on Saturday took his league-leading goals tally to 23 for the season to further cement his case as a prohibitive favorite to win a 3rd straight MLS MVP award.

After Luis Suárez scored twice in the first half, Messi got his first of the night at Nu Stadium with a simple close-range finish in the 47th minute following an assist from the veteran Uruguayan forward.

Messi's second of the night was a trademark individual effort, bewitching D.C. defenders with his quick feet and a devilish cut back before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The victory put Miami back up to second place in the Eastern Conference and strengthened its hopes of claiming a top-four seed and homefield advantage in the playoffs, which begin next month.

Messi continues to be the dominant figure as Miami looks to repeat as MLS Cup champion.

As well as having a four-goal cushion in the race for the Golden Boot, Messi also leads the league in assists with 13.

His efforts on Saturday mean he has now registered a goal contribution in 10 consecutive MLS games for the first time.

Messi brought the curtain down on his Argentina career on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, scoring his 126th and final goal for his country in a friendly win over Benin. He has a contract with Miami through 2028.

"He'll be missed in that jersey, of course, but today we have him here, and we have to enjoy having him with us now," Miami's Argentine head coach Cristian "Kily" González said this week. They certainly did Saturday.