Lionel Messi’s record as the top goalscorer in the League Cup has been shattered by the in-form Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga.
Bouanga, the forward for Los Angeles FC, has overtaken Messi to become the leading scorer in League Cup history. Messi previously held the record with 10 goals from the inaugural 47-team tournament last year.
However, Messi is unable to defend his title this season due to an ankle injury sustained during Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final last month. As a result, Messi’s team, Inter Miami, was eliminated after a 2-3 loss to Columbus in the round of 16 and had to withdraw from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Bouanga’s goal in Los Angeles FC’s 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders in the 2024 Leagues Cup quarter-finals made the Gabonese forward the all-time leading scorer in the Leagues Cup, as the tournament has now lasted five years.
Bouanga had an extremely impressive performance, as he scored 11 goals and 6 assists in 8 games in this year’s Leagues Cup, where LAFC will face Colorado on August 22 for a spot in the final.
Notably, Messi scored 10 goals and provided 1 assist in 7 League Cup matches last season, the “Atomic Flea” scored every time he appeared, helping the Herons defeat Nashville on penalties saved to win the first championship on American soil.
Lionel Messi spent his first full season with Inter Miami, the team he joined last summer on a free transfer after nearly two decades in European football.
Despite missing many games this year, including the last six inter-competition matches since the Copa America final, Messi has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 15 appearances.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will not be able to take part in his team’s next MLS match against FC Cincinnati on August 25, as the timing of his return to play remains uncertain.
