Lionel Messi has surpassed a former international team-mate to break an all-time Inter Miami record.
The Herons captain scored his side’s only goal in their 1-1 draw with Toronto on Sunday.
Messi’s strike was his 24th in the MLS since joining Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
He has also provided 20 assists in the league across his 29 appearances during that period.
His tally of 44 goal contributions is more than any other player in Inter Miami’s history.
Messi surpassed the previous record held by his former Argentina team-mate Gonzalo Higuain.
The pair appeared alongside each other 61 times for the national team prior to Higuain’s retirement.
He ended his career in Florida after spending over two years at Inter Miami between 2020 and 2023.
Meanwhile, Messi extended his lead as the club’s all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 47 matches.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also has more assists than any other player but is tied with Luis Suarez when it comes to league fixtures.
As for MLS goals, only Higuain and Leonardo Campana have more than Messi’s tally with 29 and 28 to their names, respectively.
Messi joined the MLS side in the summer of 2023 on a deal which runs through to the end of this year.
He has already won two trophies after lifting both the Leagues Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Sunday’s draw with Toronto maintained Inter Miami’s unbeaten start to the new season.
Javier Mascherano’s side sit a point behind Eastern Conference leaders Columbus Crew having played a game less.
It comes after they topped the standings last year for both Conferences across the regular season.
Their Supporters’ Shield title also saw Inter Miami qualify for this summer’s Club World Cup in the USA.
The first edition of the tournament’s expanded format will be held between June 14 and July 13.
Inter Miami have been drawn in group A alongside Al Ahly, Porto and Palmeiras.
Messi has previously won the competition three times with Barcelona in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
