New Delhi: Lionel Messi became American side Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer in Major League Soccer, going past fellow Argentine Gonzalo Higuain’s mark.
He scored twice and set up another in the first 24 minutes to reach the mark, as Miami won 5-1 against Columbus Crew SC.
The diminutive Argentine set up Tadeo Allende for Miami’s opening goal in the 13th minute, then curled the ball on 15 minutes after Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen mishandled a kick and hit it straight to Messi.
In the 24th minute, Messi chipped Hagen on a breakaway move, increasing his season tally to 10 goals and four assists in 13 matches, thereby earning yet another cap in a decorated career, as Miami raced to a 3-0 lead.
His two strikes were his 30th and 31st for Miami, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer in MLS, overtaking his compatriot Higuain, who had netted 29 times.
Higuain took 67 regular-season games to reach his march for Miami, while Messi went past him in only his 38th appearance. The 2022 World Cup winner extended his scoring tally to 49 in 59 matches across all competitions.
The 38-year-old couldn’t find the back of the net for two games, but has now scored five goals and two assists in his last three appearances for Miami. He reached 50 goal contributions in the regular-season in their 4-2 win over CF Montreal Wednesday, scoring a couple of times.
Miami would now head to the FIFA Club World Cup, where they face Egypt’s Al-Ahly in the opening match of the new 32-team club tournament on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium, before completing their group stage commitments against Portugal’s FC Porto and Brazil’s Palmeiras.
Miami are scheduled to return to action in the MLS against Atlanta United on June 28.