Lionel Messi has charted history in the MLS after having played just four league matches. Messi shocked the soccer world earlier this year when he announced his move to Inter Miami. Despite strong interest from Al-Hilal and rumors of a return to FC Barcelona, Messi made his decision to move to the US.
While there may have been some who doubted Lionel Messi in the MLS, he has managed to prove his critics wrong. The Argentine ace has been sensational at Inter Miami, guiding the team to its first-ever trophy. Messi was also voted as the best player of the Leagues Cup besides winning the Golden Boot. Messi also had a dream debut in MLS, scoring a wonderful goal against New York Red Bulls.
The 🐐 tops the list of top-selling jerseys in MLS in 2023.
Shop now: https://t.co/BF1MWkxpFd pic.twitter.com/g9fpGzid5U
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 29, 2023
Despite being currently sidelined with an injury, the Inter Miami star is breaking records off the pitch. As reported by MLS, Lionel Messi’s jersey has become the most popular jersey in the MLS. Behind Messi comes St. Louis City SC’s Joao Klauss, and Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar. However, Messi’s incredible feat has failed to impress soccer fans, who consider Messi’s achievement to be unsurprising.
Here are some best reactions from fans:
Ever since Lionel Messi’s arrival, the Inter Miami shirts have been selling at a rapid rate. In addition to this, Messi’s arrival has also led to ticket prices going through the roof. After Messi’s move to Inter Miami was confirmed, ticket prices saw an increase of 1034%. Moreover, the ticket prices for the recent US Open Cup final plummeted from $4000 to as low as $70 when it was announced that Messi wouldn’t be playing in the final.
5 MLS records that Lionel Messi can potentially break
While Lionel Messi continues to break records off the pitch, there are five MLS records that Messi can break on the pitch. The former PSG star currently has one goal and two assists from four MLS appearances. While he’s currently out with an injury, Messi can return and break the MLS record for fastest to 10 goals in its history.
The record is held by former LA Galaxy star Carlos Ruiz who scored 10 goals in 10 matches. Messi can also break the MLS record for the most hat tricks. While Messi is yet to score a hat trick for Inter Miami, his teammate Josef Martinez holds the record with six hat tricks. Messi has also established himself as a master of free kicks over the last few years. The 36-year-old can break Sebastian Giovinco’s record of most free kicks in MLS history (13).
Lionel Messi will have the chance next season to break the MLS record for most goals in a single season. The current record is held by LA FC’s Carlos Vela, who scored 34 goals in 2019. Lastly, Messi needs to record eight more assists within nine more games to become the fastest player to record 10 assists in MLS.