With a fully fit and firing Lionel Messi, it’s no wonder Inter Miami find themselves top of the Eastern Conference after 12 games. Gerardo Martino’s side have sought to sign the best of the ex-Barcelona bunch in recent months, with Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets all joining the Argentine in America.
However, it’s Messi who is the star. Unsurprisingly, the 36-year-old is the best rated player in MLS this season having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.97. The Argentina international has scored 10 goals and provided an additional nine assists across just eight league outings this season. Major League Soccer may not have the best of reps but that form is sensational to say the least.
Messi has directly contributed to a goal in every MLS game this season, but he saved his very best for Inter Miami’s exciting 6-2 win over NYRB on Saturday. Incidentally on Star Wars Day, Messi put in a showing that was out of this world. The Red Bulls haven’t exactly been poor this season. While they were mired on a three-game drawing run ahead of their trip to the Chase Stadium, Sandro Schwarz’s side sat third in the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend’s action.
And yet Messi and co. swatted them aside with ease as they put on a show for the home crowd. Funnily enough, NYRB were 1-0 up at the break against Inter Miami over the weekend through Dante Vanzeir but the second half introduction of Matias Rojas spurred the Herons into life.
⭐️Lionel Messi 🆚 NYRB
🅰️ Assist for Matías Rojas
⚽️ Goal!
🅰️ Assist for Matías Rojas
🅰️ Assist for Luis Suárez
🅰️ Assist for Luis Suárez
🅰️ Assist for Luis SuárezObviously earned a perfect WhoScored 🔟 rating… pic.twitter.com/NukNcmbixL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 5, 2024
Messi provided the assist for Rojas’ 48th minute equaliser before getting on the scoresheet himself in the 50th minute. The former then went on assisting rampage, adding a further four between the 62nd and 81st minute, registering a second for Rojas and then another three for hat-trick hero Suarez.
The quintet of assists came from six key passes and his strike from one of five shots. With a further three dribbles, Messi, along with Suarez, landed a perfect WhoScored 10 rating. In the same 6-2 win, Messi broke two MLS records, providing the most assists (5) and registering the most direct goal involvements (6) in a single game.
While he rarely featured in MLS last season, Messi is making up for last time this time around. He helped Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup last year and if he stays fit, then the Miami side will feel confident of adding the 2024 MLS Cup to their honours list.
