Messi has another club record in sight, but he must play until 2027

Lionel Messi could set another club record for Inter Miami, but it may take him until 2027 to do this.

It seems like the door is open for the Argentine soccer star to become the all-time appearance leader of the club after young defender Noah Allen moved on a loan to Chicago Fire in 2026.

Inter Miami announced Allen's departure from the club on Thursday (September 3). The loan deal comes with a mandatory purchase option, which can yield the Florida club around $3 million in the end of the season. These funds will serve as General Allocation Money (GAM) for squad building in 2027 season.

Allen, who made his debut for Miami in 2022, was an integral part of the club's successes, as he helped to win the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield and 2025 MLS Cup. He is leaving the club with 133 appearances, three goals and seven assists. This makes Allen the all-time leader in appearances for Inter Miami.

For his part, Messi is Miami's all-time leader in goals and assists with 98 and 54 assists respectively. However, he currently ranks fifth in appearances with 111. Ahead of him are Robert Taylor and Sergio Busquets (116 each), Drake Callender (118), and Allen (133) all of whom have now left the club.

It is impossible for Messi to surpass Allen within this season. Miami has 13 games left in the Campeones Cup and MLS regular season, and at most six more games should they qualify for the MLS Cup final. Even with him playing all available games, Messi will end the season having played 130 games, which is three fewer than Allen’s record.

It means that eight times Ballon d’Or winner will have to wait until 2027 season to become Inter Miami’s record appearance holder. The important question now is whether Messi will continue his club career to the next season.

-AJM