Hold on to your hats, soccer fans! Lionel Messi has just delivered a performance that's rewritten the record books, and it's bigger than you might think. Not only did he propel Inter Miami to a dominant victory, but he's also surged ahead in the race for the coveted Golden Boot! But here's where it gets controversial... is this just the beginning of a new era of Messi's dominance in the MLS, or will someone rise to challenge him?
In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, Inter Miami CF crushed Atlanta United with a resounding 4-0 victory on Saturday. But this wasn't just another win; it was a showcase for Lionel Messi, who netted not one, but TWO goals! This "brace," as it's known in soccer circles, was a pivotal moment, solidifying his lead in the Golden Boot standings presented by Audi. Think of the Golden Boot as the MVP award for goal-scorers – the player who scores the most goals in the season takes home the prize.
And this is the part most people miss... This wasn't just a good game for Messi; it was historic. Those two goals marked his NINTH multi-goal game of the season. Let me explain what that means. A multi-goal game is when a player scores two or more goals in a single match. Nine multi-goal games in a single season? That's an MLS record! He now stands alone at the top, surpassing the previous record holders: Stern John (Columbus, 1998), Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay, 2000), and even the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy, 2019), all of whom were tied with eight multi-goal games. It's a testament to Messi's consistent brilliance and unwavering dedication to the sport.
Those two goals bring Messi's season total to a staggering 26, putting him two goals ahead of LAFC's star forward, Denis Bouanga, in the Golden Boot competition. The Golden Boot race is heating up, with Decision Day looming. Decision Day, in MLS, is the final day of the regular season, where playoff spots and seedings are decided. Every goal counts!
But wait, there's more! Messi is also the frontrunner to win the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award for the second consecutive year. The Landon Donovan MVP award is given to the most valuable player in the league. Winning it back-to-back would be an incredible achievement. Furthermore, with 44 goal contributions (goals + assists) this season, Messi is closing in on the single-season record of 49, set by LAFC's Carlos Vela in 2019. He's only five away! Can he break that record before the season ends?
Inter Miami, having already secured home-field advantage for the first round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, will conclude their regular season against Nashville SC next Saturday. This final match presents another opportunity for Messi to pad his stats and further solidify his claim to the Golden Boot and potentially break that record.
Some might argue that Messi's success is solely due to the quality of his teammates, such as Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who also joined Inter Miami. But is that really the whole story? Or is it Messi's unparalleled vision, skill, and leadership that elevate the entire team? We want to hear your thoughts! Do you think Messi will continue to dominate the MLS, or will another player step up to challenge his reign? And what do you think about Inter Miami's chances in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!
