Messi on the verge of a new record

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is aiming to set a new Major League Soccer (MLS) record if he scores against Cincinnati in the match scheduled for Thursday morning at the latter's stadium in the 23rd round of the tournament. Messi continues his remarkable brilliance in the league, having led his team, Inter Miami, to a 2-1 victory over Nashville in the 22nd round of the current season. Messi scored both goals in the match, bringing his tally to 16 goals, level with Nashville striker Sam Surridge at the top of the 2025 season's scoring list. Messi is now just one goal away from breaking a record that has stood since 2018, after equaling Venezuelan Josef Martinez's record of 11 goals in six consecutive games, making them the only two players to achieve this feat. The Tango star's brilliance does not stop there, as he became the first player in MLS history to score two goals in five consecutive games, a new record that reflects his continued brilliance despite being over 37 years old. Thanks to Messi's goals, Inter Miami continued its positive run with a fifth consecutive win, maintaining its six-game unbeaten streak, moving closer to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has appeared in 66 matches in all competitions, scoring 56 goals and providing 25 assists, surpassing Gonzalo Higuaín as the club's all-time leading scorer.