After a record-breaking run of form with Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi has been recognized as the Major League Soccer Player of the Month for the month of April 2024.
Even though he only participated in four matches during the month of April, the Argentine superstar No. 10 scored six goals and assisted on four others, totaling ten goals contributed. The amazing attacking production of the Herons led to a record of 3 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, which put them in the lead for the Supporters’ Shield. In addition, they boast the highest points per game (1.91), goals scored (26) and goal difference (+10) in the Major League Soccer.
Out of the twelve goals that Miami scored in the month of April, Messi was directly responsible for ten of them. He scored game-winning goals against Nashville SC (on April 20) and the New England Revolution (on April 27). Furthermore, he made history by being the first player in the history of the league to achieve double goal contributions in five straight games on successive occasions.
The 16 goal contributions (9 goals scored and seven assists made) that the eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or and winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup has made after his first seven games of the 2024 season are the most ever. He has surpassed the previous record holders, Thierry Henry (13 goals scored in 2012) and Carlos Vela 13 goals scored in 2019.
Following in the footsteps of fellow FC Barcelona legend Luis Suárez, Messi is Miami’s second Player of the Month of the 2024 season. Suárez was awarded the distinction for the month of February into March. In addition to this most recent distinction, he has won Player of the Month ten times over the course of his legendary career. He won eight of those awards while playing for Barcelona and one while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
This next Saturday, Messi and Miami will be playing host to the New York Red Bulls in a matchup between two of the most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference (7:30 pm Eastern Time | Apple TV – Free).
In a process that is overseen by MLS Communications, the selection of the Player of the Month for Major League Soccer is made by a group of prominent members of the national media.