Lionel Messi continues to expand his legacy in American soccer. The Argentine star won his second consecutive MLS Golden Boot this Saturday, after finishing the regular season with 26 goals and becoming the first player to achieve this recognition in consecutive campaigns.
The Inter Miami forward secured the award after a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC, on the last day of the regular season. His main pursuer, the Croatian Petar Musa, of FC Dallas, failed to score in his team’s 3-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids and was left with no chance of taking the prize.
At 39 years old, Messi had another outstanding campaign, in which he also established his personal record for games played in a regular season, with 31 games, in addition to reaching 2,420 minutes on the pitch.
«He won everything he could think of and he wants to keep winning. It doesn’t matter to him to enter a field and tie like they tied us today,” said coach Cristian ‘Kily’ González about the Argentine’s ambition.
Inter Miami let a three-goal lead slip away
The Florida team seemed to have victory assured in front of their fans at Nu Stadium. Ian Fray opened the scoring in the 14th minute, Luis Suárez extended the lead in the 33rd minute and Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 with a powerful shot from outside the area just before the break.
However, Charlotte FC reacted in the second half and achieved a comeback that silenced the home crowd. Liel Abada scored a double in the first ten minutes of the second half and Rodolfo Aloko established the final 3-3 in the 90th minute.
The Argentine coach regretted his team’s lack of concentration after letting a three-goal lead slip away.
«It happened at a moment that forces us to truly wake up. Football is about moments, about moods, and today we have not been up to the task,” he acknowledged.
Messi played the 90 minutes and actively participated in the development of the game, although he failed to find great opportunities to score.
Miami is already thinking about the playoffs
With this result, Inter Miami finished the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference, with 60 points, and secured home field advantage until the conference semifinals.
The Herons will begin their path in the playoffs against the Columbus Crew, who defeated the Chicago Fire 4-3 and managed to avoid the playoff round.
