Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe has written a new chapter in his career and Zimbabwean football history by becoming the first player from the country to feature in a team that defeated Lionel Messi the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA World Cup champion.
Hadebe’s club, FC Cincinnati, delivered a resounding 3-0 victory over Messi’s Inter Miami at TQL Stadium in a Major League Soccer (MLS) showdown that shook the Eastern Conference standings and revived Cincinnati’s title hopes.
The landmark victory came just days after Cincinnati suffered a disappointing derby defeat to Columbus Crew, in which they squandered a 2-0 lead. But on this occasion, the Ohio-based side responded emphatically, maintaining their second-place position in the Eastern Conference just one point behind leaders Philadelphia Union, who edged CF Montréal 2-1.
The match’s opening goal came from 20-year-old American forward Gerardo Valenzuela, who found the back of the net in the 16th minute. Brazilian playmaker Evander da Silva Ferreira then stole the show with a second-half brace, scoring in the 50th and 70th minutes to seal a comprehensive win.
Although still recovering from a recent injury setback, Hadebe was introduced in the 62nd minute, replacing veteran striker Kei Kamara. With Cincinnati leading 2-0 at the time, Hadebe’s entry served as a tactical adjustment to solidify the defence and close out the game a plan that worked to perfection.
The 29-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs and Yeni Malatyaspor defender brought calmness and structure to the backline during his cameo appearance, ensuring the hosts preserved a clean sheet against a star-studded Inter Miami attack led by Messi.
The match marked one of Inter Miami’s worst defeats of the 2025 season and underlined Cincinnati’s growing stature as genuine title contenders.
