 "Lionel Messi is making goal-scoring history in MLS at the age of 38. Image: Reuters")
Lionel Messi scripted yet another historic record as he fired Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over New England Revolution at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Both Messi’s goals came in the first half as he created a new Major League Soccer (MLS) record. He has now scored two goals in each of his last four matches in the MLS, becoming the first player in the league’s history to score multiple goals on a trot in four matches.
The first of the four games in which the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi scored multiple goals came in late May as he scored two goals in Miami’s 4-2 win over Montreal. He later scored two more in a 5-1 victory over Columbus.
Messi makes goal-scoring history in MLS
Miami then had a break as they took part in the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were eliminated after a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
On return to MLS, the 38-year-old Messi scored two more goals against Montreal as Miami won 4-1.
So far, Messi has scored 14 goals in 15 MLS appearances this season, just two behind top scorer Sam Surridge, who has played six more games for Nashville. Remarkably, Messi has netted eight goals in his last four MLS matches — becoming the first player in league history to achieve that feat. For context, Major League Soccer began in 1996.
Messi gave Inter Miami the lead in the 27th minute, capitalising on a defensive error by the Revolution and slotting a left-footed strike from the center of the box.
He made it 2-0 just 11 minutes later, latching onto a pinpoint through ball from Sergio Busquets and curling another left-footed finish past Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.
Veteran keeper Oscar Ustari played a key role for Miami as well, making six saves before Spaniard Carles Gil pulled one back in the 79th minute, intercepting a pass from Tadeo Allende and blasting a long-range effort into the net.
The win lifted Miami from sixth to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 35 points — seven behind leaders FC Cincinnati, but with three games in hand following their Club World Cup break.