66 CONTRIBUTIONS: LIONEL MESSI OBLITERATES CARLOS VELA'S MLS SEASON RECORD
At 38, Lionel Messi produced 43 goals and 23 assists (66 total), averaging a goal contribution every 61.6 minutes in his most prolific season since 2019.
Lionel Messi keeps having an amazing year with Inter Miami in 2025, and the 38-year-old just set another record.
Since joining the league in 2023, the Argentinian star has seemed a cut above everyone else, but his 2025 season is without a doubt his best yet.
This year, he's scored 43 goals and made 23 assists in all of Miami's competitions, adding up to 66 goals.
No player in MLS history has ever had more goal contributions in a year.
Before Messi, the record was held by ex-Arsenal player Carlos Vela, who had 52 goal contributions in 2019 for LAFC.
Before Vela, Josef Martinez had 42 in 2018, and before him, Sebastian Giovinco had 40 in 2016.
What's even better, Messi could add to his total since he has one more game to play this year, the MLS Cup final against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here’s a list of the six MLS players with the most goal contributions in a year.
1. Lionel Messi (2025) – 66 goal contributions
It will be hard to beat this record.
The Argentinian playmaker has been in top form all year, averaging a goal or assist every 61.6 minutes.
With 43 goals, this is also Messi's highest-scoring year since 2019, quite a feat considering he's now 38.
2. Carlos Vela (2019) – 52 goal contributions
Before Messi came to MLS, Vela held the record with 52 goal contributions in 2019.
The Mexican forward was likely the best player in the league that season, but didn't win the MLS Cup because LAFC lost in the conference final to the Seattle Sounders.
He did end up winning the MLS Cup in 2022.
3. Anders Dreyer (2025) – 44 goal contributions
Messi's great form in 2025 has overshadowed Dreyer, who is also having a great season with San Diego.
The Danish winger has 44 goal contributions this year, which is quite an achievement since it's his first year in MLS.
4. Josef Martinez (2018) – 42 goal contributions
Back in 2018, Atlanta United was the team to beat in MLS, mostly because of Martinez.
The Venezuelan international had his best year with the club in 2018, which was also the year they won the MLS Cup.
5. Sebastian Giovinco (2016) – 40 goal contributions
Also known as the 'atomic ant,' Giovinco tore through MLS defences in 2016 for Toronto.
He's still the club's all-time top scorer with 83 goals in 142 games.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2019) – 39 goal contributions
Ibrahimovic's time in MLS was short but good.
The Swedish forward spent two years in MLS and had his best year in 2019, his second season with LA Galaxy.
That year, he had 39 goal contributions, the sixth-best in league history.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.