Lionel Messi goes after Landon Donovan
After scoring a double against the Colorado Rapids, Messi was named MLS’s Player of the Matchday, taking him close to a record held by Donovan.
At 38 years old, Lionel Messi is maintaining a relentless pace. This season he has unveiled his most ruthless, goal-hungry version, setting aside - at least for now - the playmaking role that has defined so much of his career. He has seven goals in seven appearances, with no assists yet, but that scoring burst has been enough to earn him selection as one of the matchday’s top performers in four of the eight weeks played so far.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (969) has scored more career goals than Messi. The Argentine legend recently blew past the 900-goal mark, and with his brace against the Colorado Rapids he can now boast 905 career goals. Better still, those two strikes delivered three vital points for Inter Miami and earned him the matchday 8 MVP award.
Our captain was recognized as @mls Player of the Matchday. 🔝✨
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 20, 2026
🗞️ Details here: https://t.co/uWvByghOcW pic.twitter.com/FapuSe2fsI
Messi has Donovan record in his sights
That makes it 14 times now that Messi has been named Player of the Matchday since arriving in Major League Soccer. What’s truly remarkable is that, in addition to winning league MVP honors in back-to-back seasons - an unprecedented feat in American soccer - he is now closing in on Landon Donovan’s all-time record.
Donovan was named Player of the Matchday 19 times during his MLS career - a mark that Miami’s iconic No. 10 looks increasingly likely to overtake in the near future.
The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and all signs point to Messi taking the field for one last dance. Argentina will be looking to defend its crown, and why not dream of repeating the feat on U.S. soil - a landscape already well known to the captain of both Inter Miami and the Argentinian national team.
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