Lionel Messi’s first full season in Major League Soccer has quickly turned into a record-breaking campaign as all-time marks have started to fall seemingly on a weekly basis.
The 36-year-old legend has been scoring goals at will for Inter Miami, leading the Herons full steam ahead towards a challenge for the Eastern Conference title and Supporters’ Shield.
Meanwhile, Messi continues to lead the Argentina national team towards an attempt to defend their Copa America title, with the 2024 summer tournament to be held in the United States.
The Sporting News brings you a complete look at the numbers behind Messi’s exceptional 2024 season with both Inter Miami and Argentina as the goals and assists continue to flow.
MORE: See the full updated MLS top goal scorers list as Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot rankings
The last time Lionel Messi found the net for Inter Miami was in the 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on May 4. That goal extended the Argentine’s MLS goal streak to seven straight games, dating back to the 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy way back in late February.
However, it wasn’t the goal that was the story of the match for Inter Miami and their 36-year-old superstar.
Alongside his goal, Messi set an all-time MLS record by assisting five goals in one match, with Luis Suarez bagging a hat-trick and new signing Matias Rojas grabbing a brace.
Lionel Messi has exploded into the 2024 season with a bang, scoring in seven straight league games through April and May, while also leading the club into its first-ever continental appearance.
While the CONCACAF Champions Cup journey ended in the quarterfinals at the hands of a quality Monterrey side, Inter Miami are in contention for the MLS title near the top of the Eastern Conference table.
While Lionel Messi’s goal-scoring ability is what makes him one of the greatest ever, his equally exquisite creativity adds massively to his superstar career.
Messi set an MLS record for assists in a single league match by registering an incredible five assists in a 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on May 4, and of course he scored the other goal himself.
Something to note: Major League Soccer gives credit for second assists, which are not recognized globally as assists, and therefore are not noted here. For example, Leo Afonso’s goal against the Colorado Rapids on April 6 is logged as an assist to Messi by MLS, even tho he passed it to David Ruiz who then registered the final pass.
Lionel Messi is in contention for the MLS lead in both goals and assists thanks to a monstrous start to the 2024 season.
The only reason he isn’t far-and-away in front of the leaderboard is his two-week injury layoff through April, otherwise he would be well in the clear.
Lionel Messi has not yet played any games for Argentina in 2024.
The World Cup winning star was injured for Argentina’s only games in 2024 thus far, suffering a hamstring injury while with Inter Miami that kept him out of March friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.
Should he prove fit enough to take the field, he would return to national team duty in the summer, with Argentina set to contest friendlies against Ecuador and Guatemala in early July before beginning their 2024 Copa America title defense.
Stats as of May 4, 2024
