Lionel Messi broke Major League Soccer records for the most goal involvements and assists in a single game as Inter Miami CF secured a 6-2 win against the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday night.
With five assists and a total of six contributions to goals in the match, Messi set new league benchmarks. He also extended his streak of scoring or assisting to six consecutive league games.
“All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino said, according to ESPN.
“But I can’t forget Suarez’s three goals and Rojas’ two goals. The first, well both, but the first Rojas goal was amazing. But because of the technical aspect of Leo on the assist I will choose Luis Suárez’s scissor goal as my favorite.”
Suárez netted a hat-trick and Matías Rojas added two goals as Inter Miami rallied with six consecutive goals to overturn a 1-0 halftime deficit. Messi and Suárez each top the league scoring charts with 10 goals apiece, while Messi also heads the MLS assists leaderboard with 12.
“It’s easier with Leo. Obviously we know each other, and sometimes you’ll notice we know where the other is and do movements without having to look at one another. It’s good for the team,” Suárez said, according to ESPN.
Martino and Messi share a deep-rooted history, having previously collaborated at Barcelona and opposed each other while Martino managed the national teams of Paraguay and Mexico.
Despite his extensive experience observing Messi’s play, Martino believes that Messi’s recent performance against the Red Bulls is a rare spectacle unlikely to be repeated.
Messi has rapidly become a pivotal figure in Inter Miami’s lineup. Since his first appearance with the Herons in July 2023, the team’s record stands at 2 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses without him, compared to 15 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses when he participates in matches across all competitions.
Currently, Miami holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, amassing 24 points from 12 matches.
