Messi overshadows Cristiano Ronaldo's 1.000-goal career: He is a natural creator

Lionel Messi put on another historic display in MLS with a goal and three assists in a high-pressure setting, the Conference Semifinals against Cincinnati .

Becoming the man of the match and leading his team to a historic conference final for the club reaffirms that his impact goes beyond the last quarter of the pitch, but throughout the entire opposing area. He is more than just a finisher, but a natural playmaker and assister.

Messi reaches 1,300 goal contributions

While Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on the record figure of 1,000 goals , Messi already boasts 1,300 goal contributions between goals and assists , numbers that for many specialists carry more weight.

In a football world accustomed to measuring greatness with goals, Messi has broken the rule. His current record of 896 goals and 404 assists reveals the full picture of a player who not only defines, but also builds, interprets and plays for the team.

What was witnessed at TQL Stadium is clear evidence of this: three precise assists and a header that gave Inter Miami the long-awaited conference final.

Leo Messi shines in Conference Semifinal

The Herons lived a perfect night. From the 19th minute, when Messi finished off a cross from Mateo Silvetti for the 0-1, the match was tilted in favor of the Herons .

The second half was an assist party for Leo Messi. In the 57th minute, the Argentine star assisted Silvetti with a wall pass that broke lines and, just five minutes later, he led a clean counter-attack for Silvetti to score again to make it 0-3.

Finally, with a precise pass, Messi left Tadeo Allende alone inside the area for him to finish past the goalkeeper, putting the final score on the game.

Miami's first Conference final

After six seasons, the third for Leo Messi wearing pink, Inter Miami reached the Conference Final . They had never gone this far in MLS , and now, with Messi in MVP mode, the club is confirmed as the team to beat in this tournament. Their opponent will be decided by the clash between Philadelphia Union and NYCFC , a duel that will determine whether Miami travels or hosts the final at home.

This sporting growth of Inter Miami coincides completely with the influence of the '10'. It is no coincidence that since his arrival, the Herons have gone from being an irregular project to becoming a constant contender. The thrashing of Cincinnati , even without Luis Suarez on the pitch, confirms that the project already has an identity beyond the names in its squad.