Argentina’s World Cup winning captain is taking Major League Soccer by storm in his first full season in the league, and is already on course for a record-breaking campaign.
By James Nalton
In recent weeks he has stormed to the top of the MLS goalscoring charts alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez, scoring and assisting goals in his last four games, carving through opposition defences at will.
Even as he approaches his 37th birthday, Messi remains world-class in the areas of his game soccer fans have become so familiar with across the past 20 years.
Beyond the acceptance he is the greatest we have ever seen in a number of individual areas of the game, there have been many debates as to what is his biggest strength.
Throughout his career, Messi has been an elite dribbler, carrying the ball with great threat and regularly taking multiple opposition players out of the game.
His set pieces and free-kick taking are up there with the best ever, and he is one of the best passers of the ball we have ever seen — something that really became noticeable, or more appreciated, later in his time with Barcelona.
But from his time as a youth player at La Masia to the present day, one of his greatest assets, and something that separates him from other greats of the game, is his finishing — the ability to score goals almost, it seems, at will.
The most recent game, against New York Red Bulls, was all about the MLS record-breaking five assists and, along with his goal, a record-breaking six goal contributions, but away from that assists haul, there has been the steady accumulation of goals since his return from injury.
Messi missed a few Miami games in March and the side exited the Concacaf Champions Cup at the beginning of April, falling to Mexican club Monterrey at the quarterfinals stage, but when he has been present in MLS lineups, he has always contributed to at least one goal.
And on the majority of those occasions, he’s scored. He has found the net in each of his last seven MLS games, with all of his ten goals scored so far coming in that run.
A brace against Orlando consisted of a goal that went in off his chest, and a brilliant header from the far post, directing Suárez’s cross back across to the opposite side of goal. Despite his small stature, he’s even a great header of the ball when scoring a goal requires that skill.
The left-footed strikes are by now familiar, but still breathtaking. Scoring such goals in front of packed crowds in large NFL stadiums, as was the case in away games against Sporting KC and New England Revolution, adds an extra flavour – almost a World Cup ‘94 vibe – to these goals.
There is still a smattering of outstanding long-range efforts, but many of these finishes are those of an accomplished No. 9 — goals slotted home from inside the penalty area.
He has run amok in the league and seems to be able to flick a switch and contribute when Miami need it most, at least against MLS opposition.
As well as leading the goalscoring charts alongside Suárez on 10, Messi leads the way in other statistical categories such as xG per 90, shots per 90, shots on target per 90, big chances created, xG + xA per 90, assists and, therefore, goals plus assists combined.
He has 19 goal contributions in total (or according to MLS which counts secondary assists taking him up to 12 assists in total, 22 goal contributions) and is on course to break MLS records.
The record for most goals in a regular season is held by Carlos Vela, who scored 34 for Los Angeles FC in 2019. The assists record, meanwhile, is held by Carlos Valderrama who registered 26 with Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2000.
Valderrama’s record has been considered unbreakable, especially as the secondary assists rule was even looser prior to 2003 when they were awarded similarly to the ice hockey definition of the previous two players to touch the puck/ball, rather than only including secondary assists that significantly affect the creation of the goal, as is the case in MLS today.
But if anyone can break a record considered unbreakable, even within different parameters, then it’s Messi.
Inter Miami have played 12 of their 34 matches this season and, if he stays fit, Messi is on course to break both of these records.
We wow at his visionary passing, quick dribbling and balance, his runs that encourage the passes he receives, technique, and his talismanic effect on a team, but the quality that most gives him the edge and strikes fear into opposition defences is his ability to score goals from almost any scenario, almost at will.
It is a quality that has seen Miami rescue points from losing positions or win games comfortably after going behind, and will likely see them lift the Supporters’ Shield (league title) at the end of the 2024 regular season and see Messi produce a record-breaking first full season in MLS.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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