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May 5, 2024
During Inter Miami’s 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls, Lionel Messi, the Argentine star, gave a performance that will be etched in MLS history. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a goal and assisted five others, showcasing his extraordinary skills that left the audience in awe.
Since his arrival in America in 2023, Messi has been a beacon of hope for Inter Miami, much like he was for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina. His ten goals before the New York Red Bulls game in the 2024 MLS season have significantly improved the team’s performance, almost securing them a playoff spot, a remarkable feat considering their rocky start in the 2023 campaign.
And in their most recent encounter, he maintained that form. Dante Vanzeir gave New York the lead at the half, but Messi came out for the second half with a steely determination. Just three minutes after the half, he set up Matias Rojas for a goal, and two minutes later, he scored to put Miami ahead.
But Messi later stole the show with Miami’s third goal of the evening, thanks to a fantastic assist. After playing a reverse pass to Rojas just inside New York’s half, he got the ball back and used his first touch to slow down play.
When the Argentine saw Rojas breaking into the box, he threaded an eye-of-the-needle pass to find the second-half substitute. The midfielder made the most of the opportunity as the ball was precisely weighed and matched to his specifications. Football fans who have followed Messi throughout the years have witnessed him produce some goals with unbelievable skill, a deft dribble, or a beautiful pass, but this is on par with his best work.
Messi’s five assists in the game against New York made history and the audience proud. He became the first player in MLS history to record five assists in a single game, a testament to his exceptional performance that evening. However, that was not the end of Messi’s incredible evening. Later, he would provide three assists to Luis Suarez, ensuring the Uruguayan scored a hat-trick against New York. This not only showcased Messi’s individual brilliance but also highlighted the teamwork and the impact on the team’s performance.
Messi was involved in all five of Miami’s goals, making history as the first player in MLS history to record five assists in a single game. He handled them all admirably in the second half, demonstrating his exceptional performance that evening. His role in each goal, whether it was a direct assist or his influence on the team’s play, was crucial and emphasized his influence on the team’s success.
However, there was also broader significance. With his six goals, Messi became the first player to surpass 1200 goals scored. After his career so far, his latest accomplishment only helps solidify his status as one of the best footballers ever.
Miami leads Salt Lake and Cincinnati, both of which have games remaining, by three points due to Messi’s outstanding performance against New York. Few teams in the division can claim the firepower at their disposal—they have scored 32 goals so far. This puts them in a strong position in the MLS table, and with Messi’s form, they are a force to be reckoned with.
After their decisive win, Messi and company will travel to Montreal on Sunday, May 12, hoping to carry on their winning run. With just 12 points from 10 games, the Canadian team is 20th in the division, so Miami will be optimistic about another win.
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