Lionel Messi brace! Inter Miami superstar sets two MLS records

They call Lionel Messi the GOAT for a reason.

Inter Miami CF's superstar forward set two MLS records in Saturday's 4-1 win at the New England Revolution after posting two goals and one assist:

1. First player in MLS history to record multiple goal contributions in five consecutive games.
2. Most goal contributions (16) by any MLS player in the first seven matches of a season.

Messi scored in the 32nd and 68th minutes on close-range finishes, then assisted on Luis Suárez's late insurance goal (89'). Benjamin Cremaschi (83') also cleaned up Messi's blocked shot, factoring into all four of IMCF's goals when playing before a record 65,612 fans at Gillette Stadium.

In the process, Messi reached 9g/7a (in just 585 minutes) to race ahead of Real Salt Lake striker Cristian Arango and D.C. United striker Christian Benteke for the Golden Boot presented by Audi lead.

Messi now has three braces during the 2024 campaign, previously netting twice in a 5-0 rout of Orlando City SC and a 3-1 win over Nashville SC.

With their dominant Matchday 11 performance, Inter Miami remain first in the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield standings with 21 points (6W-2L-3D).