- Jeremy van Dyk
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Messi's masterclass at Yankee Stadium
When Inter Miami stepped onto the field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, the buzz was all about Lionel Messi and whether he could keep his scoring streak alive. The answer came early and loud: a cheeky chip over the keeper that left the crowd roaring, followed minutes later by a dazzling dribble that sliced through the NYCFC back line before he slotted home the finish. The second strike wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement that the Argentine still feels at home on the MLS stage.
But Messi didn’t stop at scoring. On the same play that saw him break the defense, he slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Luis Suárez, who didn’t waste the chance. Suárez’s goal rounded off a 4-0 demolition that not only sent a message to the rest of the league but also secured Miami’s spot in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The assist highlighted Messi’s vision; he’s not just a finisher but a playmaker who can dictate the tempo of a match.
Statistically, the night added another chapter to Messi’s MLS legacy. With 24 goals and 13 assists, his tally of 37 goal contributions this season puts him in uncharted territory: the first player ever to notch 35 or more contributions in consecutive MLS seasons. That puts him level with Josef Martínez and Zlatan Ibrahimović for third place on the all‑time single‑season list, trailing only Carlos Vela’s jaw‑dropping 49‑contribution record.
The numbers tell a compelling story, but the impact is felt on the pitch. Miami’s attacking trio—Messi, Suárez, and the supporting cast—look unstoppable when they click. Their fluid interplay was evident not just in the goals but in the pressure they applied, forcing NYCFC into mistakes and never giving them a foothold. The Herons, as the team proudly calls themselves, showed that they can dominate both possession and the final third.
- 24 goals (season)
- 13 assists (season)
- 37 total goal contributions
- First MLS player with 35+ contributions in back‑to‑back seasons
- Tied 3rd all‑time for single‑season contributions
Looking ahead, Miami has five regular‑season games left. With Vela’s record still out of reach, the next few matches could be a chase for another piece of MLS history. Fans are already speculating: will Messi break the 49‑contribution mark? The odds are tantalizingly close, especially if Miami maintains the offensive firepower displayed against NYCFC.
Beyond the numbers, the victory lifts the squad’s confidence as they gear up for the playoffs. Coach Gerardo Martino praised Messi’s leadership, noting that his performance elevates the whole team’s mentality. “When Lionel puts his foot on the ball, everybody knows we can push forward,” Martino said in the post‑match interview. That mindset could be the edge Miami needs when the stakes get higher.
For now, Miami rides the momentum of a comprehensive win, while the league watches a star who continues to rewrite what’s possible in American soccer. The next matchups will test whether this surge is a flash or the beginning of a record‑breaking run.
