SI

Lionel Messi Becomes Fastest Player in MLS History to Reach Incredible Milestone

Inter Miami CF dropped to 10 men before halftime against New York City FC, but not before Lionel Messi etched his name in the history books.

Ben Steiner

Lionel Messi became the fastest MLS player to 40 goal contributions on Saturday
Lionel Messi became the fastest MLS player to 40 goal contributions on Saturday / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi made history on Saturday in just the first few minutes of the 2025 MLS season, becoming the fastest player to make 40 goal contributions in the league. 

The Argentine No. 10 assisted on Miami's first goal of the season, setting up Tomás Avilés to take an early 1–0 lead over New York City FC. It took him 26 matches to reach the mark, combining his 19 assists and 21 goals scored for the club. 

Former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba set up Messi to make the final pass to Avilés. Minutes later, Avilés was sent off due to a red card. 

Messi is in his third season with the Herons and second entire MLS campaign. In 2024, he played just 19 games, scoring 20 goals and 16 assists, but injury and international duty kept him out for a significant amount of time. Still, he became the fastest player to reach 25 goal contributions in a single season last year.

Check out the MLS legends he surpassed last season:

Player

Season

Games

Lionel Messi

2024

12

Carlos Vela

2019

16

Cobi Jones

1988

18

Diego Serna

2001

19

Robbie Keane

2013

20

Landon Donavon

2008

20

After joining Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi scored a goal and two assists in his first six MLS regular season games before leading Miami to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2026. 

JOIN SI SOCCER'S INTER MIAMI WHATSAPP COMMUNITY - GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE

While he assisted Miami’s opening regular season goal, the 38-year-old already has a tally on the season, scoring a deft finish in his club’s 1–0 Concacaf Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City earlier in the week. 

Subscribe here to MLS Season Pass

Miami hopes to win the 2025 MLS Cup and bounce back from a disappointing first round playoff exit against Atlanta United in 2024. If Messi adds more silverware in 2025, it will extend his world-record trophy haul, which already stands at 46 after winning the Supporters’ Shield and Leagues Cup with the Herons.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE

Published |Modified
Ben Steiner
BEN STEINER

Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.

Home/Soccer