Lionel Messi once again delivered a footballing masterclass in Inter Miami’s 5–1 demolition of the New York Red Bulls. With two goals and an assist, the Argentine legend continues to dominate Major League Soccer, while also etching his name into its record books.
Messi’s Magic: Two Goals and an Assist
In front of a packed stadium, Messi showed why he’s still one of the world’s best. He was involved in three of Miami’s five goals, making it the sixth time in the last seven games that he has scored at least twice.
- In the 24th minute, he set up Jordi Alba with a brilliant through ball to equalize at 1–1.
- In the 60th minute, Messi finished a lightning-fast counterattack.
- And in the 75th, he chested down a pass from Luis Suárez before smashing it in with his left foot.
That final strike marked Messi’s 18th goal of the season – and perhaps his most aesthetically pleasing.
Historic MLS Achievement
Messi’s performance didn’t just secure three points — it secured a place in MLS history.
He became only the fifth player in league history to record at least 35 goals and 25 assists over a two-season span. The other members of this elite club are:
- Robbie Keane (2013–14)
- Sebastian Giovinco (2015–16)
- Carlos Vela (2018–19)
- Cucho Hernández (2023–24)
Inter Miami’s Red Bulls Dominance Continues
This was Inter Miami’s third consecutive win over the New York Red Bulls, with a staggering combined score of 15–4:
- 6–2 in May 2024
- 4–1 in May 2025
- 5–1 in this most recent encounter
For New York, it was only their second home defeat this season — and their worst defensive outing so far, conceding five goals for the first time in this campaign.
What’s Next?
With Messi in top form and Inter Miami firing on all cylinders, the Herons are positioning themselves as title favorites in both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup races. And if Messi keeps this up, he may not just be breaking records — he could be rewriting MLS history altogether.
