Lionel Messi has achieved an impressive 46th title in his remarkable career, both for club and country, and he did so in impressive fashion with a standout performance in Major League Soccer.
Following his immediate impact with a key role in Inter Miami’s first major trophy – the Leagues Cup – last year, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient has continued to shine, helping the team secure the Supporters Shield in his first full season.
Inter Miami has been in dominant form throughout 2024. They have won 20 games, drawn eight, and lost only four out of 32 league matches this season, clinching the trophy awarded to the MLS team with the best record in the regular season with two matches remaining.
If they manage to triumph in their last two games, Messi’s team will set a new record for the highest points total in a regular season.
The team’s impressive performance is unsurprising, considering they feature the most high-profile player in North American soccer since Pele’s time with the New York Cosmos. At 37, Messi remains committed to entertaining American fans in his later years, having scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in just 17 MLS appearances this season. This translates to a goal contribution every 52.7 minutes, a statistic that is only slightly less impressive than his peak year at Barcelona.
Even though he has missed nearly half the season due to injury and participating in the Copa America, it’s still within reach for Messi to claim the Golden Boot for the regular season. He would require consecutive hat-tricks to surpass current leader Christian Benteke, but given his recent performance, it wouldn’t be wise to bet against him.
MESSIIIIIIIIII!!!
Messi magic again to get his brace. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/tqT4Md1ydO
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 3, 2024
Messi netted two goals in injury time during the first half of Inter Miami’s 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew, with the second being a stunning free-kick that propelled him ahead of his boss David Beckham and level with his former teammate Ronaldinho in career free-kick goals.
However, it was in the latter part of the match that Messi showcased his brilliance, skillfully maneuvering past two bewildered Columbus defenders to ignite a scoring opportunity for Suarez.
This level of talent is reminiscent of a Zapruder-style analysis to grasp the full intricacies of how he did it. The Columbus defenders, left in his wake like cartoonish henchmen, are likely still scrambling to process just how he slipped past them.
Lionel Messi’s skill in the last minute of Inter Miami vs Columbus
byu/TheCules insoccer“The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what’s next,” Messi commented after the match.Image Source: Major League Soccer @ Twitter (X)
