The Unstoppable Force: Lionel Messi Redefines the MLS Record Books in 2025

Even when he’s not scoring, Lionel Messi finds a way to leave his mark, to remind everyone that they are witnessing a master at work. The Argentinian maestro, now 38, may not have found the back of the net in his last three outings for Inter Miami, but that hardly matters. On a night dedicated to honoring the magnificent career of his friend and teammate Sergio Busquets, Messi decided to become the ultimate provider, carving up the New England Revolution with the precision of a master surgeon.

The 4-1 victory was a spectacle, and at the heart of it all was Messi, conducting the orchestra with three stunning assists. It was a performance that felt both routine and breathtakingly brilliant, a testament to a player who has bent the world of soccer to his will for two decades. With each touch, each pass, he writes another chapter in a story that already feels like a legend.

This latest display of genius catapulted his season totals to an astonishing 24 goals and 17 assists. With that, Lionel Messi now stands in rarefied air. He has become only the second player in the 30-year history of Major League Soccer to achieve over 40 goal contributions in a single regular season. The only other name on that exclusive list? Mexican legend Carlos Vela, who set the formidable benchmark of 49 with LAFC back in 2019.

How Messi Dominates Without Scoring

The connection between Messi and his former Barcelona comrades remains a thing of beauty. He linked up with Jordi Alba for the Spaniard’s brace, a partnership so telepathic it almost feels unfair to the opposition. He also orchestrated Tadeo Allende’s goal, demonstrating an uncanny ability to see plays unfold before anyone else.

“He gave us the possibility of opening the score and then securing the win,” head coach Javier Mascherano reflected after the match. “Not only with the pass for Jordi, but when New England made it 2-1, he responded in the next play with an assist that only he can give.”