Lionel Messi shows no signs of slowing down as he keeps breaking new ground for Inter Miami.
Messi broke the Major League Soccer assists record as his side hammered New York Red Bulls 6-2.
Lionel Messi shatters MLS record
Former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez has joined Messi in the US and belted in a rapid hat-trick in the match.
The Argentina World Cup champion had nine goals and four assists going into Saturday night’s match, which helped put the David Beckham-owned team atop the Eastern Conference.
However, the 36-year-old reached new heights on American soil in a 6-2 annihilation of New York Red Bulls.
During the game, he recorded an MLS-record five assists, and he did it in only 33 minutes during the second half.
Luis Suarez scored three goals thanks to Messi’s deft passing and footwork, but he was still overshadowed by the Argentine, despite the impressive 12-minute hat-trick he scored.
Messi was also able to register a goal as Inter Miami overcame a 1-0 first-half deficit in spectacular fashion.
“Well, I always say the same thing: It is redundant to talk about him,” said Argentine boss Gerardo Martino.
“Messi makes the difference, always. He participated in six goals – I don’t think we will ever see anything like that again.”
“Today Luis’ connection [with Messi] was very good. Like the old days,” added Martino.
Opponents fume but little maestro dazzles
Emil Forsberg, who scored a late penalty for the New York Red Bulls, was furious at the collapse, even if found it in himself to praise Messi’s skill.
“The feelings in the locker room, the reactions were of course not good.
“I think we’re very disappointed about the second half.
“I think we played a perfect first half, we did very well,” Forsberg said.
“I think we’re always coming in confident in the games. We’re playing good. We’re doing what we’re saying we’re going to do. We need to step up next weekend and be better than the second half.
“I mean, we can’t accept this. We will have a good [training] week and hopefully, come back stronger.
He added: “We have to learn [from] this.
Forberg said: “We have to raise our standards, to get out on our home field at Red Bull Arena and win. We need to give our fans … We have to make ourselves proud and to show what quality we have.”
Messi will be a key player for Argentina in the upcoming Copa America which will be staged in the United States.