MLS Makes Historic Lionel Messi Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF made a statement to Major League Soccer with a smashing 5-1 victory against Columbus Crew on Saturday.
After the match, MLS followed with a historic statement regarding IMCF's star forward.
Messi, 37, recorded two goals and three assists against Columbus, bringing his season totals to 10 goals and six assists in just 13 appearances in league play.
Following another historic performance on Wednesday in a 4-2 win against Montreal, the Argentina star has tallied four goals and four assists this week alone.
His five goal contributions against the Crew put the 2022 World Cup winner among a rare group of players to achieve such a prolific output in a single match.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against the Columbus Crew during the first half at Chase Stadium.Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesOnly two other players in MLS history have recorded at least two goals and three assists in a match. Alex Pineda Chacon did it for the Miami Fusion in 2001 and Diego Rossi did it for Los Angeles FC in 2018.
🚨Lionel Messi vs Columbus Crew
⏱️ 90 mins
⚽️ 2 goals
🎯 2 assists
🔢 xG: 0.79 | xA: 0.31
🎯 2/2 shots on target
🗝️ 5 key passes
🔥 3 big chances created
🎯 88% pass accuracy (50/57)
📦 69 touches
🪄 2/4 successful dribbles
📡 3/4 accurate long balls
⚔️ 4/7 ground duels won… pic.twitter.com/WXQGek6xnl
Messi had a match of six goal contributions (one goal, five assists) in 2024. He joined Rossi as the only players to notch multiple games of at least five goal contributions in an MLS career, according to a statement released by the MLS public relations account.
Messi previously recorded six goal contributions (one goal, five assists) on May 4, 2024.
He is only the third player in MLS history to notch at least two goals and three assists in a single match, joining Alex Pineda Chacon (June 9, 2001) and Diego Rossi (March 10, 2018).
The reigning MLS MVP is making a strong case for a repeat trophy. He is now tied for third in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals. His six assists are tied for 10th, but two off the lead.
Messi's uptick in form has come at a crucial time for Inter Miami, which snapped out of a funk of one win in seven games coming into this historic week.
LM 1️⃣0️⃣🐐 ➡️ FAFA 7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/CNwi9CsuID
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 1, 2025The Herons leapfrogged Columbus up to third place in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the June international break, for which Messi has been named to the initial Argentina roster.
When he returns to IMCF, the team will embark on its inaugural Club World Cup journey, which begins on June 14 against Egyptian champion Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium.
Related: Lionel Messi’s Wife Turns Heads With Outfit Before Inter Miami Game
Related: Lionel Messi Makes History With 67th Free Kick Goal
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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