Lionel Messi sets a new lifetime record in a defeat against Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi had a record-breaking night in Inter Miami’s 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Despite going behind in the 30th minute, the hosts easily won Saturday’s game at Chase Stadium. Messi set up Matias Rojas for Inter Miami’s equaliser in the 48th minute, before scoring himself to win the game for the hosts.
The Argentine played a fantastic through ball, giving Rojas the opportunity to score Inter Miami’s third goal of the evening. Messi then reminisced with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, assisting on all three of the Uruguayan’s 13-minute goals.
Messi made history. Former RB Leipzig attacker Emil Forsberg scored a late consolation for the visitors, but his penalty couldn’t detract from Messi’s record-breaking performance. Messi scored six goals for Inter Miami, his first for the club or country.
The 2022 World Cup winner also recorded five assists in a single game for the first time in his career, bringing his season total to 12 goals and 11 assists in 11 competitive matches. Messi has now scored 23 goals and provided 16 assists in 25 games since joining the American team last summer.
Inter Miami leads the way. Suarez, like Messi, had a spectacular night, scoring his 31st career hat-trick and his first three goals since joining from Gremio earlier this year. In 15 competitive matches for Tata Martino’s side, the Uruguayan attacker has scored 12 goals and assisted seven times.
As a result of Messi and Suarez’s exploits, Inter Miami has 32 goals in 12 MLS games, 12 more than the Portland Timbers. These goals have helped Inter Miami accumulate 24 points, putting them at the top of the Eastern Conference with a three-point lead over FC Cincinnati. Inter Miami will return to action next Saturday, when they face Montreal at Stade Saputo in Canada.
