<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> has rewritten countless records since arriving in MLS, and this weekend offers another opportunity to etch his name deeper into Inter Miami history. As the Herons prepare to host Toronto, one of the league’s strugglers,&nbsp;Messi stands on the brink of surpassing a historic club record—currently held by one of his former Argentina teammates.



Yet, as enticing as the milestone might be, the decision whether he will even feature this Sunday is anything but straightforward.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/">Inter Miami</a> coach&nbsp;Javier Mascherano faces a tactical dilemma. With the&nbsp;CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal second leg against LAFC&nbsp;looming on Wednesday, Mascherano must decide how much to gamble with his star man in Sunday’s regular-season match.



Miami&nbsp;trails 1-0 on aggregate&nbsp;after the first leg loss in Los Angeles. Given the tournament’s rules—where aggregate score and away goals determine who advances—the Florida side must win by at least one goal without conceding to push the game to extra time. A 2-1 or higher-scoring one-goal victory would see LAFC advance on away goals.



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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/javier-mascherano/">Mascherano</a> has kept his cards close to his chest regarding rotation, but&nbsp;it is expected that some key players will be rested against Toronto.&nbsp;“We have to manage our squad carefully. Every minute matters when you’re playing two must-win games in a matter of days,”&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-to-rest-against-toronto-coach-javier-mascherano-addresses-inter-miami-stars-status/">the manager told the media</a>.



<h2>One goal/assist from history</h2>



Even if the Argentine superstar is limited to substitute minutes, the stakes on an individual level are monumental. In&nbsp;Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union last week, Messi recorded his&nbsp;23rd regular-season goal, which brought him level with club icon <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/Gonzalo-Higuain/">Gonzalo Higuain</a> for the most goal contributions in Inter Miami history:&nbsp;43 in total.



However, the difference in how the two players reached that milestone is striking. While Higuain, a former Real Madrid and Juventus forward, needed&nbsp;67 games&nbsp;to achieve 43 goal involvements, Messi has equaled the mark in just&nbsp;28 matches.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250405_WST_563868_Gonzalo-Higuain-padel-1200x670_9f1d54c3.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-503819" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gonzalo-Higuain-padel-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gonzalo-Higuain-padel-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gonzalo-Higuain-padel-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Gonzalo-Higuain-padel.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Higuain’s legacy and the torch being passed</h2>



The record the 37-year-old now threatens to break was set by&nbsp;Gonzalo Higuain, who joined Inter Miami during its infancy in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mls/">MLS</a>. Despite a rocky start, Higuain&nbsp;led the team in scoring in 2021 and 2022, with 12 and 16 goals respectively. He also helped Miami reach&nbsp;its first-ever MLS Cup playoff appearance&nbsp;in 2022 and retired as the club’s all-time top scorer.



His connection with Messi stretches beyond club soccer. The two shared the pitch for Argentina in&nbsp;75 international appearances, including major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and Copa America.



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As of now,&nbsp;Messi is already the club’s all-time assist leader&nbsp;with 20 and is just&nbsp;seven goals away from surpassing Higuain&nbsp;as Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer as well.

Record-breaking moment for Lionel Messi? Ex-Argentina teammate’s Inter Miami goalscoring record could fall against Toronto in MLS

Record-breaking moment for Lionel Messi? Ex-Argentina teammate’s Inter Miami goalscoring record could fall against Toronto in MLS - World Soccer Talk

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Gonzalo Higuain walked at Inter Miami, so Lionel Messi could run. Like Messi is to David Beckham’s team today, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/if-each-major-european-soccer-league-had-an-all-star-team-what-players-would-you-choose-20131012-CMS-86250.html">Higuain</a> was meant to be a game-changer. For a long time, many saw <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Major League Soccer</a> in the US as a place where retired greats could relax and enjoy their last years of professional soccer.



That seems to have been the case even with the aging Higuain. Unfortunately, the veteran’s nightmare US debut with the Herons ended with a penalty miss. In the 20th minute, the attacker, almost had a fairytale MLS debut when his bicycle kick crashed just wide of the post.



After that, the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus player’s fortunes only got worse from there. His popularity began to wane in Miami. There were whispers that the Argentine icon had been unhappy with his life in the United States under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tata-martinos-mls-record-without-messi-worse-than-phil-neville-20231010-WST-461225.html">Phil Neville</a>‘s leadership. Thus, he had been acting irritably that season.



Not even other Major League Soccer players were oblivious to his behavior shift. Fabian Herbers of the Chicago Fire criticized the Argentine, describing him as “destructive” due to what he perceives as negative body language.



He also expressed his disapproval of Higuain’s leadership qualities. He remarked on the ex-striker’s demeanor on the field, noting instances where he appeared visibly displeased with his teammates’ performance. Herbers stressed the importance of uplifting and supporting teammates, especially as a designated player and leader.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240426_WST_503770_GOnzalo-Higuain-Miami-1200x670_30d6bd9e.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-503812" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/GOnzalo-Higuain-Miami-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/GOnzalo-Higuain-Miami-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/GOnzalo-Higuain-Miami-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/GOnzalo-Higuain-Miami.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>How did Higuain fare with Miami?</h2>



Before joining the MLS, Higuain was a top striker for Real Madrid, Napoli, and Juventus. In 785 professional appearances, he scored 366 goals, 121 of which came while playing for Real Madrid. He joined the club at the tender age of 20, having previously played for River Plate.



Despite less-than-stellar loan stints with Chelsea and AC Milan, he would go on to have tremendous success in Serie A with Napoli and Juve. Though he left the United States empty-handed, the Argentinian legend eventually left on a high note. He ended up <a href="https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/gonzalo-higuain-to-retire-at-end-of-2022-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scoring 14 goals in his last 16 games</a> of the regular season.



Despite the bitter end to his career, he will go down in history as one of the greats of the contemporary era. He deserves credit for paving the way for his compatriot <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/can-messi-be-the-impetus-for-apple-tv-and-mls-season-pass-20230725-WST-445077.html">Lionel Messi</a> to succeed in Miami.



<h2>New career in sight for Gonzalo Higuain?</h2>



The ex-forward has discovered a new outlet for the same competitive drive that characterized his professional athletic career; despite only having been out of the game for a year. He has taken up the popular Spanish sport of padel as a new pastime.



At 34 years old, the Argentinean national team legend retired after a stint with Inter Miami; he and his family still reside in the same house. However, as per <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20240424/1002234254/ex-madridista-gonzalo-higuain-campeon-padel-miami.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mundo Deportivo</a>, he is increasingly focusing on his roles as a parent and family guy, yet he still finds time to play padel.



It might not be exactly the extra money he’s accustomed to. Nonetheless, Higuain and his partner Tarek Deham won a local event in Miami not long ago and brought home a nice $300 check.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Inter Miami spell propels Higuain to try hand at new sport

Lionel Messi was not the first star Argentine for Inter Miami. Gonzalo Higuain laid the groundwork, but his retirment has led to new passion.

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Record-breaking moment for Lionel Messi? Ex-Argentina teammate’s Inter Miami goalscoring record could fall against Toronto in MLS

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Inter Miami spell propels Higuain to try hand at new sport