Lionel Messi, Star Performance in MLS: Secures Victory for Inter Miami Single-Handedly
Messi scored two goals and provided an assist in the latest MLS match, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Nashville, extending their lead to two points ahead of New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference of the North American championship.
Former Barcelona Teammates Reunite at Inter Miami
The main man of the Florida team benefited from Luis Suarez’s assist for his first goal, marking an essential chapter in both their careers and their friendship.
Suarez reached 50 assists for Messi, topping the list in this category. The two were teammates for six seasons at FC Barcelona and reunited at Inter Miami. Suarez surpasses Dani Alves, Iniesta, Xavi, and Pedro in this stat, all key members of Barcelona’s past successful team.
Luis Suarez’s transfer to Inter Miami was directly influenced by Messi’s desire as he lobbied for his friend. Although under contract with Gremio Porto Alegre, Suarez arrived in Miami six months after Messi.
Suarez and Messi are family friends, and their wives, Sofia Balbi and Antonella Rocuzzo, also have a business together, investing in the luxury footwear brand Sarkany.
In 2014, when Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona, he openly stated that playing alongside Messi, whom he already considered the world’s best player at the time, was a significant factor in his decision.
As teammates, they won 13 trophies wearing the Catalan shirt, including five in a single season: league title, cup, Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup (2015).
“Stay Here, Chubby, as Number 9, and I’ll Create Space for You”
Suarez recalled a humorous moment from the early days of his relationship with Messi, which also led to the formation of the famous MSN trio Messi-Suarez-Neymar.
”In a match against Ajax, Luis Enrique wanted Messi to play the false 9 position because he was accustomed to it, while Neymar and I played on the wings, but it didn’t seem to work. So Messi said to me: ‘Stay here, chubby, as number 9, and I’ll create space for you from the right side.’ That was the start of the MSN era,” shared Luis Suarez in the international press.
Players with the Most Assists for Messi
- Luis Suarez: 50 (Barcelona + Inter Miami)
- Dani Alves: 42 (Barcelona)
- Andrés Iniesta: 37 (Barcelona)
- Xavi: 31 (Barcelona)
- Pedro: 35 (Barcelona)
TAGS: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Inter Miami, MLS, Barcelona
