Featured Image Credit: Getty/MLS
Topics: Lionel Messi, MLS, Inter Miami, Copa America, Argentina, Football
Patrick Rowe
Topics: Lionel Messi, MLS, Inter Miami, Copa America, Argentina, Football
Lionel Messi created Major League Soccer history during Inter Miami's draw against St Louis City SC on Saturday evening.
The 36-year-old joined the MLS franchise shortly after his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina in Qatar.
Messi joined on a free transfer after parting ways from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who he had signed for after leaving Barcelona due to contractual issues.
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Miami missed out on the playoffs in Messi's first campaign in America but he is now making up for lost time, with his side sitting top of the Eastern Conference.
The early success has been driven by some strong additions made to the squad during the transfer window - as his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all joined him at Chase Stadium.
Messi, Suarez and Alba were all on the scoresheet during Saturday's clash with St Louis, however they were unable to secure all three points with the fixture ending in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Despite dropping points, Messi was still able to make history during the fixture after becoming the fastest player in MLS history to register 25 goal involvements within a season.
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Across the 12 games the Argentinian has featured in, he has netted 12 goals and added 14 assists. Carlos Vela previously held the record, which was 16 games to reach the same threshold.
Last night's game marked Messi's final appearance in pink before he departs to link up with his Argentinian teammates for the Copa America. La Albiceleste won the trophy back in 2021 and will now look to defend their title.
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The tournament will be held across the USA and the opening fixture will be at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta where Argentina will take on Canada (June 21).
Chile and Peru make up the other teams in Group A.