Lionel Messi takes just 12 games to shatter MLS record previously held by Arsenal flop

LIONEL MESSI has become the fastest player in MLS history to bag 25 goal contributions in a single season.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Inter Miami shortly after his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina in Qatar.

Miami missed out on the playoffs in Messi’s first campaign but he is now making up for lost time, with his side sitting top of the Eastern Conference.

Messi, 36, has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 13 in 12 appearances this campaign, the quickest time to reach such a tally.

This feat shattered the previous record set by Arsenal flop Carlos Vela in 2019, who took 16 games to hit 25 goal contributions.

Many believed Vela would become one of the world’s best when Arsenal won the race to sign him for £125,000 in 2005.

But the Mexican striker failed to reach his full potential, after only notching three goals in 29 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.

Vela was then sent out on loan to five different clubs, before signing for Real Sociedad in 2012 for an undisclosed fee.

Meanwhile Messi’s achievement comes after he scored Inter Miami’s first goal in their 3-3 draw against St Louis City on Saturday night.

This season’s success has been driven by some strong additions made to the squad during the transfer window.

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Including, the arrival of his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Suarez and Alba were also both on the scoresheet during Saturday’s clash.

However, Messi’s attention will now turn towards Argentina and their Copa America campaign this summer, which kicks off on June 21.

The joint-record 15 time winners and reigning champions face Peru in the opening match of the tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.

Argentina also play Chile and Canada in their other Group A games as they eye a top spot finish to advance to the quarter-finals.

Messi, who has 180 caps for Argentina, has scored 13 goals and assisted another 17 in 34 Copa America appearances.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk