Behind former Arsenal star
Lionel Messi has once again had an outstanding regular-season performance. The Inter Miami CF forward wrapped up the 2025 Major League Soccer season with an impressive tally of 26 goals and 15 assists. Overall, the league counts Messi’s contributions at 48, including some second assists. In total, Messi has netted 29 goals and provided 17 assists in 35 games this season, contributing one goal in four matches during the FIFA Club World Cup and adding two goals along with two assists in the Leagues Cup.
While these statistics are remarkable, they do not surpass the MLS regular-season record set by Carlos Vela for LAFC in 2019. Vela, the former Arsenal prodigy, recorded an extraordinary 34 goals and 10 assists in 31 matches, amounting to 44 direct contributions—49 if second assists are considered. Messi’s average of 0.96 goals per game also falls short of Vela’s 1.1 goals per game from the 2019 season.
Vela’s record played a crucial role in LAFC’s exceptional regular season, as the team finished with 72 points, claiming the Supporters’ Shield. Unfortunately, LAFC faced elimination in the MLS Cup Playoffs, losing 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders, who went on to win the championship. Three years later, LAFC secured their first MLS Cup title against the Philadelphia Union, winning 6-3 on penalties. Vela retired this year, ranking second on LAFC’s all-time goalscoring list with 93 goals.
Player Comparison
Right Winger
Position
Right Winger
31/12/2025
Contract until
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Full Player Comparison
Lionel Messi: A goal every 97 minutes – MLS Cup or bust?
Messi currently holds the record as Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer with 68 goals in 81 matches across all competitions. At 38 years old, he averages a goal every 97 minutes, or 0.84 goals per game. Undeniably, Messi stands out as the most gifted player ever to grace MLS, even if he hasn’t broken Vela’s record. However, to solidify his legacy, Messi—reportedly the second-highest-paid soccer player globally according to Forbes—will need to lead Inter Miami CF to an MLS Cup victory.
This season, David Beckham’s club finished third in the Eastern Conference with a total of 65 points and will face Nashville SC in the first playoff round. A potential matchup with FC Cincinnati, who topped the standings, looms ahead. The Eastern Conference has proven to be fiercely competitive this season, meaning Messi must maintain his form throughout the playoffs for Inter Miami to finally claim a league title.
