Lionel Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions on Saturday, doing so in just 64 games, as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-2 victory at Toronto FC. The Argentine scored once and assisted twice, with his performance once again rendering the opposition largely irrelevant.
Messi’s 100th contribution came in his 64th MLS appearance, shattering the previous record of 95 games held by Toronto FC legend Sebastian Giovinco. His tally since joining Inter Miami in July 2023 stands at 59 goals and 41 assists.
The fastest players to reach the milestone:
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): 59 goals, 41 assists in 64 games
- Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC): 58 goals, 42 assists in 95 games
- Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy): 62 goals, 39 assists in 96 games
- Carlos Vela (LAFC): 62 goals, 38 assists in 98 games
- Josef Martinez (Atlanta United, CF Montreal, San Jose Earthquakes): 88 goals, 12 assists in 105 games
- Denis Bouanga (LAFC): 69 goals, 31 assists in 108 games
Inter Miami took control early and never truly relinquished it, though a lapse in defensive concentration allowed Toronto to make the scoreline more competitive than the performance deserved.
Rodrigo de Paul opened the scoring in the first half, pouncing on a blocked Messi free-kick. Luis Suarez added the second 10 minutes into the second half, teed up by his longtime former Barcelona team-mate. Three minutes later, Messi turned provider once more for substitute Sergio Reguilon before capping the move himself in the 75th minute, finishing emphatically to put the game beyond doubt.
Toronto’s two goals, both scored by Emilio Aristizabal, were the product of sloppy Miami defending on an otherwise commanding afternoon. A weakened Toronto side, missing several regulars, had little answer for the visitors’ attacking quality.
Saturday’s milestone is merely the latest in a remarkable sequence of achievements since Messi’s arrival in South Florida. He became the first player in league history to win back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP awards, claiming the honour in both 2024 and 2025. Last season he also won the Golden Boot and finished with an MLS record 62 goal contributions across the regular season and play-offs, leading Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup triumph.
Beyond the league, Messi has helped the club win the Leagues Cup and the Supporters’ Shield, bringing his total career trophy haul to 47 for club and country, a world record.
Earlier in 2026, he scored his 900th career goal during a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville SC and became the fastest player to reach 20 goals and 20 assists in MLS, achieving it in just 26 games.
Through 12 matchdays of the current season, he has nine goals from 11 starts and sits among the Golden Boot leaders once again. His two Player of the Matchday awards in 2026 leave him level with Jeff Cunningham on 14 in total, second only to Landon Donovan’s all-time record of 19.
