Magical Lionel Messi makes more MLS history with Inter Miami as Argentine GOAT prepares to overtake Zlatan Ibrahimovic on notable goal chart

Messi has been in spectacular form of late, with his contribution to Inter Miami’s collective cause helping them to secure a playoff berth. Said success means that, in his third campaign at Chase Stadium, he will get another shot at savouring ultimate MLS Cup glory. A second successive Supporters’ Shield is also there to be shot at, having set a new single season points record in that department last term.

Messi’s latest outing saw him make light work of downing NYCFC, with the evergreen 38-year-old passing up more opportunities to bolster his numbers from the penalty spot as he allowed Luis Suarez to step up from 12 yards. He was still able to take his goal contribution tally to 37 in another stunning performance that delivered more moments of magic in the final third of the field. The history books were rewritten in the process, with the promise of even more records to come over the coming weeks.

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Having become the first player to enjoy successive campaigns of 35-plus goal contributions, Messi has also moved third all-time in that department. He now sits level on that list with former LA Galaxy, Inter, Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With five regular season games left to take in this season, it should not take long for Messi to leave the enigmatic Swede languishing in his wake. He still trails ex-LAFC forward Carlos Vela (49 contributions) on the all-time chart, but will have the Mexican in his sights.

Messi needs just one more multi-goal game this year in order to post a new MLS single season high on that front, having enjoyed eight so far in 2025 - the joint-most that any player has ever delivered. He has five goals and three assists across his last three outings, with rivals struggling to contain his obvious threat.

Inter Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference, five games back on division leaders the Philadelphia Union. They do, however, have two games in hand on both of the teams above them in the table - Cincinnati FC being the other - and believe that another Shield triumph is there to be chased down with 15 points still up for grabs. Head coach Javier Mascherano wants to see his side finish with a flourish.

Mascherano told reporters after witnessing a professional dismantling of NYCFC: “We are happy because now we are officially qualified for the playoffs. That was very important for us. We will try to finish as high as possible. If we can win the next five games that we have, that will be great, and we will have a chance to fight for the Supporters’ Shield.” The Herons will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Toronto.

Messi, who has seen his game time carefully managed at times this season, will be hoping to lead by example through the remaining weeks of the season. If remarkable individual standards can be maintained, then he will come into contention for back-to-back MVP awards - especially if Inter Miami go deep in their bid for MLS Cup glory. It is also looking like the South American icon will be back for more in 2026. He could also play a role in another World Cup, with Argentina aiming to retain their crown in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer; Messi, of course, is well acclimated to conditions in the States, having played a key role for Miami in recent years. 

As his current contract in South Florida runs down, fresh terms are being mooted. An extension is expected to be confirmed imminently, with Messi agreeing to stick around in Miami as his family feel settled in the United States. It would appear as though he is ready to emulate eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo - who is still going strong at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr - in the longevity stakes by playing beyond his 40th birthday.