The iconic Argentine combined with Luis Suarez three times to score a hat-trick for the Uruguayan superstar. He also provided the assist for the goal of Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas, who was making his second appearance since joining from Brazilian side Corinthians in April. The 28-year-old first unleashed an electric golasso from Messi’s set-up in the 48th minute, and found the back of the net again in the 62nd minute with a cheeky chip after receiving Messi’s pinpoint through ball.
In between those attacks, Messi got himself on the scoresheet again with a 50th minute attack. He then provided three more assists by the end of the match, all three of which found the back of Suarez’s net (69th, 75th and 81st). This marks a continuation of Suarez’s own blistering pace, now reaching 10 goals in 11 games this season and trailing only Messi in the MLS Golden Boot award presented by Audi. (Messi holds the assist tiebreaker).
Messi’s latest record comes just a week after he broke both records in Matchday 11 of Inter Miami at the New England Revolution, becoming the first player in MLS history to record multiple goal contributions in five consecutive games. He set the record for most goal contributions (16 goals). ) by MLS players in the first seven games of the season.
When the dust settled on Matchday 12, Messi found himself with an incredible 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight games into the 2024 season. These exploits earned the Herons 24 points from him in 12 games (7 wins, 2 losses, 3 losses), leading his charge in the early Supporters’ Shield.
At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be a safe record from the legendary number 10.
