The historic moment came during Inter Miami's dominant 4-0 victory at Citi Field, a win that also officially clinched a playoff spot for the Florida-based club. Messi was instrumental in the triumph, scoring two goals and providing a crucial assist, elevating his tally for the 2025 season to an astounding 37 goal contributions (24 goals, 13 assists).
This latest achievement underscores the Argentine superstar's sustained and profound impact on the league since his arrival. While many players have had stellar individual seasons, Messi's ability to maintain such an elite level of offensive production consistently over two full campaigns is unmatched.
A New Standard of Excellence
The record highlights a remarkable run of form for the 38-year-old forward. In the 2024 season, despite missing some time due to injury and international duty, Messi amassed 36 goal contributions (20 goals, 16 assists), an effort that earned him the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. By surpassing the 35-contribution mark again this year with five regular-season games still to play, he has set a new benchmark for offensive consistency in the league.
His performance against NYCFC was a microcosm of his season:
The Record-Breaking Assist: The milestone was officially reached in the first half with a perfectly weighted pass to teammate Baltasar Rodriguez, who scored the opening goal.
Decisive Goal-Scoring: Not content with just the record, Messi added two second-half goals, showcasing his signature dribbling and clinical finishing to seal the comprehensive victory.
The win propels Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference standings as they build momentum for a deep run in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Chasing All-Time Greatness
With this new record secured, Messi now has his sights set on even greater historical milestones. He is currently the frontrunner for the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 24 goals and is a strong candidate to become the first player in MLS history to win the MVP award in back-to-back seasons.
Furthermore, he is closing in on the all-time single-season goal contribution record. That milestone is currently held by Carlos Vela, who registered a phenomenal 49 goal contributions (34 goals, 15 assists) for LAFC during his 2019 MVP season. With 37 contributions and five matches remaining, Messi has a legitimate chance to challenge Vela's iconic record.
His latest two-goal performance also tied him for the most multi-goal games in a single MLS season, with eight.
An Unparalleled Impact
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi's presence has transformed the club and elevated the global profile of Major League Soccer. His on-field genius has not only led to team success, including a Leagues Cup title and now consecutive playoff appearances, but has also shattered attendance and viewership records across the United States.
This latest record is further proof that, even in the later stages of his career, Lionel Messi's hunger for success and his ability to perform at a legendary level remain undiminished. He is not just playing in the MLS; he is actively rewriting its history books, one goal and one assist at a time.
