Intro: Messi is nearing his 58th MLS appearance, matching Zlatan Ibrahimović’s 58 MLS caps and signaling a milestone that frames his MLS tenure in parallel with Ibrahimović’s.

Context on opponents: Messi’s most faced opponent is Atlanta United with seven meetings; he has defeated New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, and Nashville four times each, and has the most assists (six) against New York Red Bulls.

Playoff angle: Messi and Inter Miami faced Nashville in the MLS Cup playoff first round, with Messi aiming to push the team into the next round.

Ibrahimović’s MLS metrics: Ibrahimović finished with 53 goals and 14 assists in 58 appearances for LA Galaxy, including 11 braces and 3 hat-tricks, in a record of 25 wins, 11 draws, and 22 losses.

Messi’s MLS metrics: Messi has 53 goals and 29 assists in 57 MLS games, including 15 braces and two hat-tricks, with a record of 34 wins, 13 draws, and 10 losses for Inter Miami.

Legacy and contract note: Messi’s arrival shifted global attention to MLS, and he has signed a contract with Inter Miami through 2028, underscoring his long-term commitment.

Broader context: The piece situates Messi’s MLS impact alongside Ibrahimović’s, highlighting how both arrivals shaped perceptions of the league beyond raw stats.

Nuance in comparison: While goal tallies are similar, Ibrahimović’s lower assist count and differing team context are noted to color the comparison.