Messi's brilliance continues with 2 goals in Miami's emphatic victory over hapless Crew

Inter Miami was in a midseason slump just a week ago. Lionel Messi made sure it didn't last long.

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Messi scored for the fifth time in three Major League Soccer matches to help Inter Miami rout the Columbus Crew 5-1 on Saturday night for its second straight win.

Messi played a role each of Miami's goals. He scored twice - in the 15th and 24th minutes - giving him IO goals this season, which leads his team and is tied for third in MLS. He set up Tadeo Allende’s goal in the 13th, Fafa Picault’s in the 89th and was also involved in Luis Suarez’s score in the 64th.

That makes it two straight matches that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has recorded at least two goals and an assist. His 16 goal contributions are the most in the league.

"I see him every game. We see the same thing," Miami coach Javier Mascherano said through an interpreter. "We try to help him as much as we can. ... Clearly he is the best player that has ever played this game. And we have to understand that when he is not brilliant, that’s because one of us is failing. That's the reality."