Lionel Messi has set a new Major League Soccer record by scoring multiple goals in five consecutive games, following his latest performance where Inter Miami triumphed over Nashville 2-1 on Saturday.
The Argentine forward netted in both halves, matching Nashville's Sam Surridge at the top of the MLS scoring charts with 16 goals in 16 matches.
Messi's remarkable streak began with victories over Montreal and Columbus in May, prior to his participation in the Club World Cup.
The 38-year-old managed to score once across four games as Miami advanced to the Club World Cup round of 16. He then returned to MLS action, continuing his streak with double goals against Montreal, New England Revolution, and now Nashville.
Messi initiated the scoring in Fort Lauderdale with a low free-kick that slipped through the Nashville wall at the 17-minute mark.
Hany Mukhtar equalized for Nashville early in the second half, but Messi capitalized on a loose pass from Nashville's goalkeeper, Joe Willis, to secure the winning goal after 62 minutes.
This victory maintains Miami's fifth-place standing in the Eastern Conference and brings them within five points of the leaders, Philadelphia, with three games in hand.