Lionel Messi continues to rewrite the record books in Major League Soccer (MLS). In just his 26th game, the Inter Miami superstar became the fastest player to reach 40 points in league history. This milestone came during a thrilling 2-2 draw against New York City FC (NYCFC) at Chase Stadium. Here’s a breakdown of Messi’s historic achievement and highlights from other MLS matches.
Messi’s Record-Breaking Performance
Fastest to 40 Points
- Milestone: Messi reached 40 points (21 goals + 19 assists) in just 26 games.
- Key Moment: He provided an assist for Tomás Avilés’ opening goal in the 5th minute.
- Previous Record: No player in MLS history has achieved this feat faster.
Match Highlights
- Early Lead: Inter Miami took the lead with Avilés’ goal, assisted by Messi.
- Red Card: Avilés was sent off in the 23rd minute, leaving Miami with 10 players.
- NYCFC Fightback: Mitja Ilenic (26th minute) and Adrián Martínez (second half) put NYCFC ahead.
- Dramatic Equalizer: Telasco Segovia scored in stoppage time, assisted by Messi, to secure a 2-2 draw.
Other MLS Match Results
LAFC 1 – Minnesota 0
- Goal: Jeremy Ebobisse (78th minute).
- Key Stat: Hugo Lloris made 2 saves for his 13th shutout with LAFC.
- Possession: Minnesota had only 37.7% possession.
Columbus 4 – Chicago 2
- Columbus Scorers: Diego Rossi (2 goals), Jacen Russell-Rowe, Carlos Terán.
- Chicago Scorers: Brian Gutiérrez (2 goals).
DC United 2 – Toronto 2
- DC United Scorers: Boris Enow, Christian Benteke.
- Toronto Scorers: Federico Bernardeschi (penalty), Jonathan Osorio.
Cincinnati 1 – NY Red Bulls 0
- Goal: Kevin Denkey (70th minute).
- Key Stat: Roman Celentano made 3 saves for the shutout.
Orlando 2 – Philadelphia 4
- Orlando Scorers: Marco Pasalic (2 goals).
- Philadelphia Scorers: Tai Baribo (2 goals), Dániel Gazdag, Mikkel Uhre.
Austin 1 – Kansas City 0
- Goal: Osman Bukari (76th minute).
- Key Stat: Brad Stuver made 2 saves for the shutout.
Houston 1 – Dallas 2
- Houston Scorer: Amine Bassi (18th minute).
- Dallas Scorers: Anderson Julio, Petar Musa.
Nashville 0 – New England 0
- Key Stat: Both goalkeepers (Joe Willis and Aljaz Ivacic) made crucial saves.
St. Louis 0 – Colorado 0
- Key Stat: St. Louis attempted 17 shots, but neither team could score.
San Jose 4 – Salt Lake 0
- San Jose Scorers: Rodrigues, Ousseni Bouda, Victor Costa.
- Key Stat: San Jose scored 3 goals in 13 minutes.
Seattle 2 – Charlotte 2
- Seattle Scorer: Jordan Morris (2 goals).
- Charlotte Scorer: Own goal in stoppage time.
Messi’s Impact on MLS
Elevating the League
- Global Attention: Messi’s presence has brought unprecedented attention to MLS.
- On-Field Brilliance: His performances continue to set new standards for excellence.
What’s Next?
- Inter Miami’s Season: With Messi in form, Miami remains a strong contender for the playoffs.
- Fan Excitement: Fans eagerly await Messi’s next record-breaking moment.
Lionel Messi Achievement
Lionel Messi’s historic achievement of reaching 40 points in just 26 games is a testament to his unparalleled talent and impact on MLS. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Messi and Inter Miami as they aim for further success.
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