Inter Miami teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have made more Major League Soccer history – despite the former not even kicking a ball for weeks.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Suarez earns MLS Player of the Matchday awardJoins Messi as three-time honourees this seasonMiami achieve unique recordWHAT HAPPENED?
After Suarez's double helped Miami beat Cincinnati on Sunday in MLS action, the Uruguayan earned his third MLS Player of the Matchday award. The 37-year-old joins team-mate Messi – who has been out with an ankle injury since July – and Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango as three-time honourees this season. Miami are the first team in MLS history to have two players win this accolade at least three times in a campaign.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
While Messi is still out injured with an ankle issue, Suarez is racking up the goals for Miami. The effort against Cincinnati was his 14th of the season and those goals have secured the Herons a spot in the MLS Cup Play-offs as they chase the ultimate prize in U.S. club soccer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Suarez is just two goals behind the club's single season MLS record, held by ex-Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain. He netted on 16 occasions in 2022 and Suarez may have his sights on breaking that record.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Miami, who are eight points clear at the top of MLS' Eastern Conference, next fact Chicago on September 1. It remains to be seen when Messi will be back from injury and can link up with fellow attacker Suarez.
