Lionel Messi said Inter Miami CF achieved its first goal of the 2024 MLS season after clinching the Supporters’ Shield with a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in Ohio.

“I’m happy,” Messi said in a postgame interview with Apple TV. “Glad we did it. At the beginning of the year we knew this was a group that would fight for this. We took the lead from the start, we had the players to do this. I’m happy to get the first goal, and we are thinking about the next one.”

Messi scored two goals and Luis Suárez added another as Miami held firm after Crew’s Rudy Camacho was sent off in the 63rd minute. Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender saved a penalty from Cucho Hernández in the 84th minute to seal the three points for his team.

The Herons lifted the trophy with 68 points in 32 games, winning their first MLS silverware since their 2020 debut as an expansion franchise. Inter Miami claimed its first Leagues Cup title of 2023, but had never won anything in MLS before.

The moment we made history! 🛡️🖤🩷 pic.twitter.com/zRseWXbGTZ

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 3, 2024

The team enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2024 thanks to the contributions of Messi and Suárez in their first full seasons with the team. Together, the forwards were responsible for 35 of the team’s 72 goals in 31 games.

“I think since the arrival of (coach) Gerardo Martino and us (Jordi Alba, Suarez and Sergio Busquets) the idea was clear to be the protagonist and chase the ball, have the ball and possession. Important things came players to grow the team in terms of the game and personality. We try to compete in every match,” Messi said.

Despite Messi’s absence due to injury and international commitments, the Argentine captain leads Inter Miami in assists and goals in just 16 games played.

The 2024 Supporters’ Shield will be Messi’s second trophy at the club and his 46th career title. His long list of achievements includes ten LaLiga trophies, four Champions League victories, two Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“I’ve been here for a year and I’m happy that we were able to win two titles with him,” said Martino.

The Supporters’ Shield is one of two major trophies in MLS alongside the MLS Cup and is awarded to the team with the best overall record in the regular season to reward consistency over a 34-match campaign.

Sixteen different MLS teams have won the Supporters’ Shield, with LA Galaxy and DC United leading the way with four each.

By winning the Shield, Inter Miami secured home advantage during the play-offs.

Inter Miami also remains on pace to break the league’s record for most points in a regular season.

The New England Revolution owns the record after scoring 73 points during the 2021 season, but Miami could surpass that number by winning its final two games.