Lionel Messi made MLS history on Saturday, becoming the fastest player to reach 25 goals in a season.
Only 12 games have been enough for Messi this season to reach 12 goals and 13 assists. The MLS countbreaking the previous mark set by Carlos Vela in his 2019 MVP campaign.
That season, Vela needed four more games than Messi -16 in total- to reach 25 goal contributions.
Messi added to his collection of goals on Saturday with a wonderful shot from inside the box, provided by his good friend (and former Barça teammate) Jordi Alba.
Alba also assisted Luis Suarez’s equalizer in the 45th minute, while the left-back scored later in the 85th minute to save Inter Miami’s draw at home.
Lionel Messi broke an MLS record on Saturday night, but had to settle for a draw at home.
Chris Durkin and former Inter Miami player Indiana Vassilev scored in the first half for St. Louis, while Suarez scored an own goal in the 69th minute that looked to seal the victory for St. Louis.
Alba’s touch was originally disallowed for offside, but overturned after video review.
Even with the tie, Miami (10-3-5, 35 points) took a two-point lead atop the Eastern Conference standings and in MLS overall, ahead of second-place Cincinnati (10-3- 3, 33 points), who did not play on Saturday.
However, next month will be crucial as Messi, and possibly Suarez, will miss MLS action for the Copa América.
Messi will join Argentina next week in a quest to defend the Copa América title they won in 2021, when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner tearfully lifted his first major trophy for his national team, filling one of the biggest gaps in his career. decorated career.
Messi added to his goal collection on Saturday night by scoring in the 25th minute at home.
Luis Suárez scored in the first half but gave away an own goal for the Herons in the 69th minute.
Messi, and potentially Suárez, could miss at least five Inter Miami games during the tournament.
The Copa América takes place from June 20 to July 14. And after the Cup, Inter Miami could lose players again when the national teams call for the Paris Olympic Games, which will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Miami, which managed to win the Leagues Cup last season with Messi, Alba and Sergio Busquets, is seeking only its second playoff berth in club history.
Messi, who battled injuries earlier this season and has been rested at times, has played only the eighth-most minutes on the team, a figure that is sure to plummet in the next month.