Lionel Messi joins Carlos Vela in exclusive MLS club after assist hat-trick as Argentine GOAT puts on another Inter Miami masterclass

It appears unlikely that Messi will go on to make more history by eclipsing the achievements of former LAFC striker Vela. The ex-Arsenal frontman posted some incredible numbers in 2019, with the Mexico international involved in 49 goals. Inter Miami have just two fixtures left on their regular season schedule this term.

Messi has helped to guide the Herons towards the playoffs once more, with disappointment having been suffered at that stage 12 months ago after claiming the Supporters’ Shield in record-breaking style. That prize has eluded Inter Miami this time around, with the Philadelphia Union being confirmed as the best-performing team in MLS.

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Messi, though, remains in contention to become the first player to claim back-to-back MVP awards. The Revs had no answer to him at Chase Stadium, with the evergreen 38-year-old running rings around Pablo Moreira’s side at times. He racked up three assists on the day, taking him to 17 for the season. Messi has also found the target on 24 occasions himself in MLS - with his goal tally standing at 32 across all competitions.

Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano continues to sing Messi’s praises, having played down talk of a rift between the former Argentina international team-mates, and told reporters after witnessing another masterclass: “He gave us the possibility of opening the score and then securing [the result]. Not only with the pass for Jordi [Alba], but when they [New England] made it 2-1, and in the next play with an assist that only he can give. He keeps showing the ability he has and, more than anything, the ambition and desire to go for more.”

Messi helped fellow countryman Tadeo Allende to get on the scoresheet, as he bagged a brace, with the Argentine winger saying of his illustrious compatriot: “This is routine for him. If he does not punish you all the time with goals, then he punishes you with assists.”

Inter Miami are not overly concerned at surrendering their Supporters’ Shield crown, as they remain in the hunt for ultimate MLS Cup honours, with Mascherano adding on the current state of play in South Florida: “If you look at it, Philadelphia is a deserving winner, but it also had an advantage of having played maybe 10 fewer games [across all competitions] than us. We would’ve loved to reach the final match day with chances to win, but this doesn’t change our objective at all. We want to finish as high as possible and go into the playoffs in the best position we can.”

Inter Miami are due to be back in action next Saturday when playing host to Atlanta United. Messi is likely to miss that contest after being included in the Argentina squad that is preparing to play Venezuela in a friendly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on October 10.

Mascherano said of having to shuffle his pack: “We will see who we have available. The reality is that some players are off to be with their national teams.”

The Herons will bring the curtain down on their regular season campaign when travelling to Nashville - who have Sam Surridge competing with Messi for Golden Boot bragging rights. Both teams will have at least half an eye on the playoffs by then. Inter Miami are looking to make history there by savouring MLS Cup glory for the first time, with Sergio Busquets looking to bow out in style after announcing that he will be retiring at the end of the current campaign.