Lionel Messi’s first full season in Major League Soccer temporarily turned into a record-breaking crusade, as all-time records began to fall probably weekly, and he is now also competing in the Copa America with Argentina.
The 37-year-old legend scored at will for Inter Miami, leading the Herons into the challenge for the Eastern Conference name and the Fans’ Shield.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to lead the Argentine national team towards a goal to protect its Copa America title, the 2024 summer tournament that will take place in the United States.
Sports news gives you a comprehensive look at the numbers from Messi’s stellar 2024 season with Inter Miami and Argentina as goals and assists continue to pour in.
MORE: Check out the complete and updated list of the best goalscorers in MLS, as Lionel Messi is the best scorer in the Golden Boot rankings.
Messi’s final goal for Inter Miami came in a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Atlanta United.
After receiving a pass from Sergio Busquets, Messi touched the ball before firing a low shot into the right corner of the net, just outside the box.
MESSI’S GOALS ARE INEVITABLE ? Leo scores his goal of the temporada!pic. twitter. com/FDsu4RZMYm
It was his eleventh league goal of the season, but it proved useless. Two goals from Saba Lobzhanidze had already given Atlanta a 2-0 lead, and Jamal Thiare scored 11 minutes after Messi’s goal to secure a 3-1 victory.
Lionel Messi exploded in the 2024 season with great success, scoring in seven consecutive league games in April and May, as he guided the club to its first continental appearance.
While the CONCACAF Champions Cup run ended in the quarterfinals against a quality Monterrey team, Inter Miami is in contention for the MLS name near the most sensible of the Eastern Conference standings.
While Lionel Messi’s goalscoring ability is what makes him one of the greatest of all time, his equally exquisite creativity contributes greatly to his superstar career.
Messi set a record for assists in a single MLS league game by recording five assists in a 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on May 4 and, of course, he scored the goal himself.
Something to note: Major League Soccer provides loans for hand loan, which are not globally identified as hand loans and are not qualified here. For example, Leo Afonso’s goal against the Colorado Rapids on April 6 is recorded as Messi’s loan through MLS, although he passed it to David Ruiz, who then recorded the final pass.
Lionel Messi is competing for the best position in MLS in terms of goals and assists thanks to a great start to the 2024 season.
The only explanation why he is not far ahead in the standings is his two-week injury absence until April; otherwise, he would be out of danger.
Lionel Messi, after all, has jumped onto Argentina’s field and leads the standings in the Copa América 2024.
The world champion star was injured in Argentina’s opening matches of the year, suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami, which prevented him from playing in March friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.
However, he returned to the national team in both friendlies before the start of the Copa América, coming off the bench against Ecuador before starting against Guatemala. He scored a brace in a 4-1 win over Guatemala, which boosted Argentina. He arrives on the right foot to the Copa América.
And once the tournament started, he showed his class, scoring Lautaro Martinez’s second goal in a 2-0 overall win over Canada to kick off the tournament.
Statistics as of July 4, 2024