Historic win for Hadebe as Cincinnati beat Messi’s Inter Miami 3-0 to keep MLS title hopes alive

Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe has made history. The 29-year-old defender became the first Zimbabwean player to feature in a team that has defeated one with Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion.

Hadebe’s club, FC Cincinnati, delivered a resounding 3-0 victory over Messi’s Inter Miami at TQL Stadium, keeping their MLS 2025 title ambitions alive.

Cincinnati’s victory came as a response to last weekend’s disappointing derby defeat to title contenders Columbus Crew, despite they had taken a 2-0 lead.

Following the victory, Cincinnati remain second on the Eastern Conference table, just one point behind leaders Philadelphia Union, who edged CF Montréal 2-1.

It was 20-year-old American forward Gerardo Valenzuela who set the tone, opening the scoring in the 16th minute.

Then Cincinnati’s talisman, Evander da Silva Ferreira did his magic.

Evander took over in the second half with a brilliant brace, finding the net in the 50th and 70th minutes to seal the victory.

Hadebe, who is still recovering from a recent fitness setback, was introduced in the 62nd minute for 40-year-old veteran striker Kei Kamara.

This was eight minutes before Evander scored the third goal.

His introduction as Cincinnati’s first substitute when it was 2-0, was a tactical move aimed at consolidating the lead.

The former Kaizer Chiefs defender played a composed cameo role as Cincinnati recorded one of their most impressive wins of the season, handing Inter Miami one of their worst defeats in 2025.