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Starting as he means to go on in 2024.

8 insane records that Lionel Messi can break in 2024 after kicking off new MLS season with assist

Ben Stewart •

Lionel Messi is still one of the best players in the world at the ripe old age of 36 and he will have the chance to make history in 2024 by breaking these insane records.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked off the 2024 MLS campaign in style, registering an assist for Robert Taylor’s opener in Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.

This will be Messi’s first full MLS season, while there’s also the Copa America – and maybe even the Olympics, too – to come in the summer. As ever, he’ll be eyeing up making more history.

We’ve taken a closer look at some of the records he is on the verge of breaking with both Inter Miami and Argentina in 2024.

Copa America top goalscorer

The 36-year-old is currently just four goals away from the all-time top scorer record in the competition. Messi has 14 goals in the competition while Norberto Mendez and Zizinho each hold the record with 17 goals each.

In the last Copa America tournament, Messi managed to bag four goals for himself so this record could easily be broken in the summer.

Inter Miami’s all-time top scorer

It’s crazy to think that Messi already has this record in his sights, just a few months after joining the club. Of course, Inter Miami only established themselves as a club in 2018, but it’s still impressive nonetheless.

The Argentine forward has already scored 11 goals for the club which means Messi is just 18 goals away from Gonzalo Higuain’s record of 29 goals.

As things stand, Messi is averaging a goal every 100 minutes or so for the MLS outfit. He should be able to break this record with ease if he maintains that ratio.

Most assists in Inter Miami history

Along with breaking the goalscoring record, Messi will no doubt be eyeing up his assist tally too. His team-mate Robert Taylor currently holds the record for the most assists in Inter Miami history with 14.

Messi isn’t too far behind as he’s already chipped in with six assists in his first 15 appearances for the club. Given his godly creative skills, we’d back him to break this record in the calendar year.

Most assists in an MLS season

This one won’t be easy. Legendary Colombian Carlos Valderrama holds the record for the most assists in an MLS season, having registered an exceptional tally of 26 back in 2000.

That’s pretty incredible when you consider that Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s Premier League record for assists in a season stands at 20. Messi holds the record in La Liga, having notched 21 for Barcelona in 2019-20.

But with one assist in one outing so far, Messi just needs to keep it up over 34 games. Easy.

The most international goal contributions

Messi will have the chance to reclaim this record in 2024. He’s been neck and neck with Cristiano Ronaldo for this title for quite some time, although the Portuguese forward slightly has the edge at this point.

Ronaldo currently holds the record with 163 goal contributions on the international stage, whereas Messi’s tally currently sits at 159. With a good run of games for Argentina, Messi could easily close the gap.

Most Inter Miami goal contributions

Along with being the club’s record goalscorer, Higuain also holds the record for the most goal contributions in the club’s history.

The record currently stands at 40 goal contributions which Messi has a great chance of breaking this year. As things stand, Messi will need 24 goal involvements for Inter Miami to match Higuain’s record.

Landmark goal contributions

Messi already holds the record for the most goal contributions in the 21st Century, but he has the chance to pull further ahead this year and hit a landmark tally.

As things stand, Messi is just 18 goal contributions away from hitting 1200 for club and county. During Messi’s era, only Ronaldo has managed to get anywhere near those sorts of numbers.

Record Copa America appearances

Messi already tops this list alongside former Chile international Sergio Livingstone, with 34 appearances in the competition.

However, the Argentine forward has the chance to surpass that tally and become the outright record appearance holder in the competition. Barring any injuries, Messi should break this record with ease.

READ NEXT: Comparing Lionel Messi’s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s records in 2023

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name Barcelona’s top 30 goalscorers of all time?

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