Lionel Messi Shines as Inter Miami Continues Unbeaten Streak

Lionel Messi, at 38, continues to showcase his extraordinary talent as he leads Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids. With this win, Miami extends their unbeaten streak to seven games under interim coach Guillermo Hoyos. Messi's performance included a penalty and a stunning go-ahead goal, solidifying his status as one of the league's top players. As he aims for more records in the upcoming season, Messi reflects on his journey in MLS and expresses hope for participating in the 2026 World Cup. Read on to explore his remarkable achievements and future goals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 19, 2026, 10:46 IST

Messi's Stellar Performance

At the age of 38, Lionel Messi continues to astound fans and critics alike. His recent display during the match where Inter Miami triumphed over the Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday highlighted his exceptional talent. This victory marked Miami's seventh consecutive game without a loss and their first win under interim coach Guillermo Hoyos. Messi initiated the scoring with a penalty in the 13th minute and later secured the lead with a stunning goal in the 79th minute. After capitalizing on a turnover from Colorado, he skillfully maneuvered near the penalty box and executed a precise shot that found the back of the net.

Since signing a new contract with Inter Miami in the fall of 2025, Messi has been in remarkable form, netting seven goals this season, tying him with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most in Major League Soccer (MLS). Miami's unbeaten streak follows an initial 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC at the start of the season.

Messi's relationship with records is undeniable, and 2026 could be a landmark year for him in MLS. Having already clinched the MVP award for two consecutive seasons, he stands a chance to become the first player to win it three times in a row. Additionally, he is on track to become the highest-scoring Argentine in league history, currently needing 36 goals to surpass Diego Valeri's record of 93. With 57 goals at the start of 2026, Messi is steadily progressing towards this milestone.

In terms of overall contributions, Messi has tallied 50 goals and 28 assists, totaling 78 direct contributions. He is just 22 away from becoming the first player in Miami's history to achieve 100 combined goals and assists in regular-season MLS play. Furthermore, he could potentially win the Golden Boot award for the second consecutive year, having scored 29 goals last season.

Currently, the record for the most hat-tricks in MLS is held by Josef Martínez with seven, while Messi has two and needs five more to tie. Recently, Messi shared his thoughts with ESPN regarding his commitment to MLS, stating, "This part of the season feels different compared to Europe. We will begin a challenging preseason in January, followed by numerous games in the league and the [Concacaf Champions Cup]. I aim to prepare well, taking it day by day and focusing on my well-being." He expressed his enjoyment of the league, acknowledging its physicality and the improvement of rival teams.

When asked about his participation in the 2026 World Cup, Messi expressed hope, saying, "I would love to be there. At the very least, I will be watching it live, as the World Cup holds special significance for everyone, especially for us, as we experience it in a unique way."