Explosive scoring and assisting form helped Messi win the Best Player of April award in the American Professional Football League.
In April, Messi and Inter Miami played four MLS matches, with the results being a draw with Colorado Rapids 2-2, wins against Sporting Kansas City 3-2, Nashville SC 3-1 and New England Revolution 4-1.
In particular, the Argentine striker contributed six goals and four assists.
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Messi celebrates during Inter Miami’s 4-1 victory over New England Revolution in round 11 of MLS on April 27 at Gillette Stadium. Photo: AFP.
Messi will start playing in MLS from the end of August 2023. In the last three months of the 2023 season (August, 9 and 10), the Player of the Month titles went to Luciano Acosta, Cucho Hernandez and Denis Bouanga. At the beginning of the 2024 season, Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez won the combined title of February and March.
Before returning to play in April, Messi was injured and missed four matches. But after recovering, the 36-year-old striker led the scoring list for Inter Miami in the 2024 season with 11 goals and the clearing list with six assists.
The 2022 World Cup champion is also leading the MLS 2024 top scorer race with nine goals, one goal ahead of Cristian Arango and Christian Benteke.
The title of Best Player of the Month in MLS is voted by the tournament Media Committee. Voting participants are members of the national media council.
On May 4, Inter Miami will host New York Red Bulls at Chase’s home field. In the first leg on March 23, Messi was absent and Inter Miami lost 0-4 on the opponent’s field. “The last match against New York Red Bulls was our weakest match,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said. “Now, Messi can move freely and play anywhere. We no longer have to play much and he has time to recover from his injury.”
Inter Miami is leading the MLS eastern table with 21 points after 11 matches. Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls ranked third with 17 points.
Inter Miami also leads the overall table of the two regions, three points ahead of FC Cincinnati, Real Salt Lake, and LA Galaxy. Last season, Messi’s team ranked penultimate in the eastern table and 27th/29th in the overall table.
MLS Standings
