Lionel Messi Tipped to Break MLS’ Untouchable Record Following Historic Display Against NY Red Bulls

Against the NY Red Bulls, Lionel Messi played as if he was from a different planet (Who would have thought?). The playmaker made a record 5 MLS assists in a single game and even scored a goal; the most G+A in a single match in MLS history. Naturally, the soccer world is going gaga. A prominent pundit thinks he can take it one step further, and perhaps, top his own game.

Speaking on the MLS Extratime, Matt Doyle believes that Lionel Messi can better his record for goal contributions. He said, “I think pretty strongly, there’s like a 70% chance that he breaks this record this year, that he ends a game with seven-goal contributions.” Additionally, he believes there is more in store for Inter Miami as a unit, stating “I also think there’s a pretty good chance that Inter Miami break the all-time record for goals in a game, which is eight.”

Getting 7 goal contributions in a single game won’t be easy.  Meanwhile, the team scoring eight? A far more believable proposition. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that Messi’s historic performance came against the 4th-seeded team. So, it is rather reasonable to expect that he could perform better against the lower-ranked teams in the division.

Credit for Lionel Messi’s display should go to Tata Martino as well. Inter Miami and Messi were struggling in the first half. At that time, Martino made the competent substitution of Matias Rojas in the 2nd half. Soon after, the floodgates opened and Rojas scored a brace while Luis Suarez netted a hattrick. Yet, the headline maker was the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner and Suarez was lavish in his praise for his captain.

Luis Suarez admits it’s a ‘different feeling’ having Lionel Messi as a teammate

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi go way back. The duo played at FC Barcelona between 2014 and 2020. As such, Suarez holds a great friendship with the soccer icon. Despite having a front seat to many of Messi’s iconic performances, the Uruguayan admitted that his display against Red Bulls was never ‘seen before’. He detailed, “What we saw tonight is surprising because it hasn’t been seen before in our sport, but as a teammate and knowing Leo, nothing surprises me because that’s the quality player he is.”

The striker also opened up on his on-field chemistry with the Argentine maestro. Suarez shared, “On the field, it’s a different feeling having him as a teammate because we know each other so well, sometimes without even looking at each other.” This connection was there for all to see as Messi assisted all 3 of Suarez’s goals. If the prolific duo continues this form, then Inter Miami could break the 8-goal record in no time.