Watch: Lionel Messi's insane free-kick as Inter Miami win Supporters ...

Lionel Messi scored a ridiculous free-kick to help Inter Miami win the Supporters' Shield in Major League Soccer on Wednesday, October 2. Messi scored a brace in the team's 3-2 win over Columbus Crew.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring free kick for Inter Miami. (Reuters Photo)

Lionel Messi scored a stunning free kick on Wednesday, to help Inter Miami win the Supporters' Shield in the Major League Soccer. Messi netted twice in the first half of the match, helping his team beat Colombus Crew by 3-2 margin and be crowned the best team in the league this season.

The legendary player, who was out of action for a long time due to his ankle injury in the Copa America Final, stunned the crowd with his razor-sharp accuracy on Thursday.

Apart from Messi, Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a crucial late penalty save in the thrilling 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew. Callender's key moment came in the 84th minute when he dove to his right to deny Cucho Hernandez's attempt to equalize at 3-3, after Hernandez had earlier scored from the spot.

Messi stunned the sellout crowd with goals in the 45th minute and during first-half stoppage time, giving Miami (20-4-8, 68 points) a seemingly comfortable lead. However, the Crew (16-6-9, 57 points) struck back just after halftime with Diego Rossi's goal in the 46th minute. A defensive mishap then allowed Luis Suarez to net his 18th goal, putting Miami up 3-1.

Hernandez converted another penalty in the 61st minute, narrowing the deficit to 3-2. Just two minutes later, Crew defender Rudy Camacho received a second yellow card and was sent off.

With this win, Miami remains on track to break the MLS record for points in a season, currently held by the New England Revolution at 73. To achieve this, Miami must win against Toronto FC and New England in their remaining matches.

The Herons extended their unbeaten streak to nine games, coming into this match with three draws after five consecutive wins. Meanwhile, the Crew were looking to set a club record by surpassing the 57 points they accumulated in 2008 and 2023, both of which were seasons that ended in an MLS Cup victory.

Messi, playing against Columbus for the first time, opened the scoring with a delicate chip over goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, followed by a stunning 24-yard free kick for his 17th goal in just 17 MLS appearances.

Columbus responded swiftly after the break, with Rossi expertly placing a left-footed shot into the far corner for his 12th goal. Shortly thereafter, a collision between Schulte and Camacho allowed Suarez to easily score.

Hernandez later found the net from the penalty spot after a handball by Noah Allen, but his season total for penalties fell to 2 for 4 when Miami's Ian Fray was whistled for a similar infraction later in the match.