Updated
Lionel Messi shows no signs of slowing down. At 39, the Argentine is on a streak of 14 consecutive games in which he has directly contributed to goals—either by scoring or assisting—and is just three games away from matching the best streak of his career.
The Inter Miami captain has now scored or assisted in 14 straight games, with a total of 15 goals and nine assists. That’s 24 direct goal contributions during a streak that is already closing in on his personal record of 17 consecutive games.
The record Messi could tie again 15 years later
During that historic streak in 2011, Messi recorded 29 goals and 9 assists in 17 games. Now, more than a decade later, he once again finds himself with an opportunity to reach a milestone that seemed to belong exclusively to one of the best periods of his career.
Lionel Messi bends physics with a free kick from an impossible angle
The current streak began in August and includes matches for Inter Miami and the Argentine National Team. In those 14 games, Messi has scored 15 goals and recorded 9 assists, for a total of 24 direct goal contributions.
The three games that could make history
The next challenge will be against the New York Red Bulls, followed by matches against Cincinnati and the New England Revolution. If Messi scores or assists in all three, he will reach 17 consecutive games with a goal involvement and will have tied his personal best.
But there’s an even more interesting detail: if he maintains the streak against Charlotte on November 7, Messi would not only tie that 2011 record but also break it, setting the longest streak of his entire career.
This situation also comes at a crucial moment for Inter Miami. The team has 55 points and is in the running for the Supporters' Shield, although Nashville currently leads with 67 points. For the Herons, the upcoming matches will be decisive both in that race and in their preparation for the MLS playoffs.
Thus, what began as just another productive streak for Messi could end up becoming something much bigger. At 39 years old, the Argentine has four games left to try to break a record he set when he was just beginning to dominate world soccer.