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With Kevin De Bruyne Chasing His Record, Lionel Messi Makes History With Inter Miami 4,320 Miles Away

Published 03/04/2024, 5:41 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are having a great start to the MLS season. After a lackluster preseason campaign that raised doubts, Miami has won two out of the three MLS matches they played and drew one. Not tasting a loss once, Messi and Co. now top the MLS’ Eastern Conference table. Besides, the 8x-Ballon d’Or winner has claimed two new milestones with his goal contributions in each of Miami’s three MLS games.

However, while La Pulga is scaling new peaks in the MLS, his records in Europe are in jeopardy. If Manchester City’s superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne amps up his assist tally, he will outclass the Inter Miami skipper.

Lionel Messi’s goal involvements rewrite Inter Miami’s history

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Contrary to popular expectations, Leo Messi failed to score in Miami’s MLS opener against Real Salt Lake. But he set up Robert Taylor for a late first-half finish in the opening game. Thereafter, Messi ended his scoring drought with a clutch strike in the 92nd minute of the Miami-LA Galaxy away game. That goal helped Messi claim a milestone of involving in 14 winning goals for club and country in the dying minutes of the game. What followed the LA game was a Leo Messi masterclass, as he scored a brace to complete the Herons’ 5-0 rout of Orlando City. This means Messi has contributed to at least one of Miami’s goals in their first three matches. Notably, he now holds the record for being the only Inter Miami player to do so.

With his latest brace against Orlando, Messi has 14 Inter Miami goals to his tally. He scored them in 17 matches and overtook Robert Taylor, who scored 13 in 80 matches. If La Pulga’s form remains consistent, he could beat Gonzalo Higuain’s record of 29 goals to become the Herons’ all-time top scorer. While everything is so positive for the Argentine in Miami, things are a bit different for him 4,320 miles away in Manchester. Messi- the playmaker could soon play second fiddle to City’s De Bruyne.

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Kevin De Bruyne to smash Messi’s assist record

Lionel Messi has tallied 203 assists in Europe’s Top 5 leagues during his stay at FC Barcelona and PSG. Meanwhile, during Manchester City’s recent English Premier League clash against Luton Town, Kevin De Bruyne secured 202nd assist in Europe while setting up Erling Haaland four times. He could have equaled Lionel Messi’s feat in City’s recent clash against Manchester United. However, Rodri and Julian Alvarez took care of the assisting game last night, as City won 3-1 against United.

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Anyhow, De Bruyne and City have a busy calendar going ahead. Besides, De Bruyne has recorded 12 assists in 13 matches for Manchester so far. Hence, it will be a walk in the park for the Belgian to outclass Leo Messi’s 203 assists in Europe’s top flight. What are your thoughts about Messi simultaneously claiming a record and getting close to losing one? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by:

Krishna Prasad M

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One take at a time

Krishna Prasad is Soccer Writer at EssentiallySports. Unlike others, his journey as a sports enthusiast was not colored by soccer initially. The 2006 FIFA World Cup, however, changed his perspective, as the beautiful game took up a small space in his heart.
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Edited by:

Sreeda U M