Lionel Messi proved once again why he’s one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
Messi made MLS history, becoming the first player to record five assists in a game, and record six goal contributions in a match, during Inter Miami’s 6-2 blowout win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
It was easily Messi’s best game since he won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar in 2022, helping Inter Miami score six unanswered goals in a matter of 36 minutes in the second half.
Messi scored in the 50th minute, Inter Miami’s latest addition Matias Rojas had a brace with goals scored in the 48th and 62nd minutes, and Luis Suárez finished with a hat trick scoring in the 68th, 75th and 81st minutes in the victory.
“Well, I always say the same thing, it is redundant to talk about him because he always seems to do something new. And well, if something was missing, it was this,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who coached Messi with Barcelona and Argentina, said of Messi’s performance.
“To have an impact on the six goals a team scores, this is going to be difficult to see again.”
Rojas was the catalyst to help Messi and Inter Miami erase their 1-0 first half deficit, scoring a goal from Messi’s first assist to tie the match at 1. Then, Rojas instigated a turnover which found Suarez, who found Messi for his only goal of the match.
Messi then rattled off five more assists to give Inter Miami six unanswered goals in a matter of 36 minutes in the second half to cruise to victory.
Messi leads MLS with 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight regular-season games he’s played in 2024. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner nearly scored another goal in extra time.
Messi also became the third player in MLS history to have multiple goal contributions in his first eight games of a season. Cobi Jones (first nine games in 1998) and Clint Dempsey (first eight games in 2015) are the others.
Dante Vanzeir scored in the 30th minute to help the New York Red Bulls take a 1-0 lead, and Emil Forsberg scored a penalty in the 97th minute before the final whistle.
“All of them had a phenomenal impact in the match. But well, Leo has probably done something historic, which is five assists, 1 goal in the league. I can’t forget Luis’ three goals, Matías’ two goals. The first one by Matias was good, both were great,” Martino said when asked about his favorite score from the match.
“For the technical gesture and Leo’s pass, I’ll take Luis’ scissors kick (in the 68th minute). That’s the one for me.”
Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls game preview
Messi and Inter Miami return to the pitch on Saturday night at home against the New York Red Bulls, in the MLS Matchday 12 game of the week.
It will be a battle between two of the top three teams in the MLS Eastern Conference, and Inter Miami hopes to avenge a 4-0 loss to the Red Bulls on March 23 when Messi was injured.
Healthy again and on a tear, Messi earned MLS Player of the Month for April this week. He leads the MLS with nine goals and tied for the league-lead with seven assists.
Inter Miami is looking for its fourth consecutive win, while the Red Bulls are also on a tear losing just one of their last 10 games to reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew.
Yes, Messi is expected to start and play tonight against New York Red Bulls.
The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET and available for free via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami host the New York Red Bulls on Apple TV
TICKETS: Experience Messi and Inter Miami in person at home against the New York Red Bulls
SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami team gear from the MLS Store
How good has Messi been with Inter Miami this season?
Messi set a MLS record with his fifth two-or-more-goal contributions in five consecutive matches, when he scored two goals with an assist against New England last week.
Messi has 16 goal contributions in his first seven MLS matches this season, which is the most in league history. The previous high was 13 in seven games by Thierry Henry (2012) and Carlos Vela (2019).
If Messi has a goal or assist against New York Red Bulls, he’ll become the third player in MLS history to do so in his first eight games of a season. Cobi Jones (first nine games in 1998) and Clint Dempsey (first eight games in 2015) are the others.
Inter Miami, New York Red Bulls in Eastern Conference race
Inter Miami enters with 21 points atop the conference, while the Red Bulls are in third with 17 points.
Cincinnati FC is second with 18 points, while Toronto is fourth with 16 points, and Columbus is fifth with 15 points on the MLS Eastern Conference table.
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule
Here are the next five Messi, Inter Miami games: