MIAMI, FL — Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the Major League Soccer record books. The Inter Miami superstar scored twice in a dominant 4–0 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday, propelling himself to the top of the Golden Boot race and adding yet another milestone to his extraordinary career.
With his two-goal performance, Messi recorded his ninth multi-goal match of the season, breaking the previous MLS single-season record of eight shared by Stern John (1998), Mamadou Diallo (2000), and Zlatan Ibrahimović (2019).
The Argentine legend now stands alone at the summit with 26 goals — two ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, as the league heads into Decision Day.
Messi’s season tally also includes 44 total goal contributions, just five shy of the all-time MLS record set by Carlos Vela in 2019. His relentless form has cemented him as the frontrunner to become the first back-to-back winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award.
Inter Miami, already assured of home-field advantage for the first round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, will wrap up their regular season next Saturday against Nashville SC (6 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass).
Even by his own lofty standards, Messi’s latest feat underscores why he remains not only the face of Inter Miami but the enduring symbol of excellence in world football.
— The Midtown Times
