In a hard-fought MLS struggle on Sunday, Inter Miami edged past Columbus Crew by a narrow margin, courtesy of a stunning first-half diving header by Benjamin Cremaschi. Lionel Messi did not score but his influence on and off the field was gigantic including helping set a Major League Soccer attendance record breaker.

MLS Attendance Record Shattered

The move paid off in spectacular fashion. A staggering 60,614 fans turned up to watch the match, setting a new club record for Columbus Crew for the highest home game attendance in MLS history. Additionally, it marked the biggest crowd ever at Huntington Bank Stadium for a non-NFL event, highlighting Messi’s unparalleled drawing power.

Messi Threatens But Fails To Score

Although Lionel Messi was unable to find the back of the net, he remained a constant threat throughout the match. The Argentine icon came close on several occasions, but his efforts were either off-target or blocked by a determined Columbus defense. At 37, Messi continues to attract multiple defenders whenever he touches the ball, making it challenging to break through.

Messi Still Leads Inter Miami’s Scoring Charts

Despite a quiet night in front of goal, Messi still tops Inter Miami’s scoring list for the season, having netted 8 times across all competitions. His teammate Luis Suárez follows behind with 4 goals to his name. Sunday’s match may not have added to Messi’s tally, but his influence on and off the pitch remains unmatched.