MLS
Lionel Messi, finding the net for the past 20 years
The Argentina and Inter Miami captain bagged his first goal of the 2024 MLS season securing a point for Miami as they faced LA Galaxy in the second game of the season.
Lionel Messi continues to write new chapters in the history of his career and despite being 36-years-old, the Argentine striker has not lost his knack for finding the target as we saw on Sunday night when the Inter Miami captain popped up in time added on to bag the equaliser for his side away to LA Galaxy.
The Rosario born striker has cemented his reputation as one of the best players ever to play the game since he first popped up in May 2005. In a league clash against Albacete at Camp Nou, Messi latched onto a phenomenal ball from Ronaldinho to lob the Alba keeper and in the past two decades has been an annual ‘goal machine’ with 2012 being a particular high-point when he bagged 91 goals.
His goals helped FC Barcelona secure a plethora of titles which included three Champions League wins in 2009,2011 and 2015 eight individual Ballon d’Or awards which remain a record haul.
Move to Miami
The striker delivered a major boost to MLS as a league when he moved to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 and helped the club secure their first ever silverware with the 2023 Leagues Cup title. Messi now has two MLS goals with Miami and in his time with the ‘Herons’ has begged a total of 12 goals in all competitions since landing with the Fort Lauderdale franchise. In the club’s short history, all-time top scorers remain Gonzalo Higuaín (29) and Leonardo Campana (23).
2024 will be another year with high profile targets ahead for the 36-year-old as his Miami side chase the MLS title, US Open Cup, participate in their first ever continental CONCACAF Champions Cup and look to defend their Leagues Cup title.
On an international level, Messi will also look to assist Argentina in defending their Copa America title with the 2024 edition set to take place in the United States. Lionel Scaloni will also be hoping that the striker is instrumental in securing a berth for the Albiceleste at the 2026 World Cup when qualifying resumes in September of this year as Argentina will also look to defend their World Cup crown.
The next immediate challenge for Inter Miami will be the derby game against Orlando City at Chase Stadium next weekend, in a new edition of the ‘Clásico del Sol’ to define the best team in Florida.