Lionel Messi became the first player in Major League Soccer history to score multiple goals in four straight league games in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over the New England Revolution.
The former Barcelona captain added another record to his numerous career achievements with a record-setting match-winning brace for Inter Miami on Thursday to further establish his importance to the team.
Messi took advantage of a mistake by a New England Revolution defender to fire home the opener in the 27th minute.
He added the second goal in the 38th minute, finishing off a through ball from Sergio Busquets to set the visitors on their way to a deserved victory.
Messi started the scoring run in May with a brace against Montreal before another brace in the 5-1 win over Columbus in June before the team took a break to participate in the Club World Cup.
He added another brace in Inter Miami’s 4-1 win over Montreal after they crashed out of the Club World Cup, and he finally got his name on the record with another brace against the New England Revolution.
Messi also scored his 100th career goal outside the box in the encounter. He has now scored eight goals, and recorded four assists in his last four matches in the MLS.
He also holds the league record for most assists in a single game (five) and most goal contributions in a single game (six), which were both recorded during a 6-2 win against New York Red Bulls last May. His 58 goal contributions is also a record for Miami.
Inter Miami coach, Javier Mascherano has showered encomiums on Messi following another stunning performance for the team.
He said: “I always say Leo is a special player. For me, the best player that has played this sport in history.
“So, it’s unbelievable because he continues doing things that maybe many, many years ago, we cannot see at this moment. But in the end, he’s a special player, we are lucky to have him.”
Messi has now scored 14 goals in 15 MLS matches for Inter Miami, and he will be hoping to continue his scoring run against Nashville on Sunday.
Inter Miami occupy the fifth position on the MLS Eastern Conference League table with 10 wins, five draws, and three defeats in 18 matches.
