Top 5 fastest players to reach 20 multi-goal games in MLS ft. Lionel Messi
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Messi joined an elite list of players in the MLS.
Lionel Messi made history by becoming the fastest player to record 20 multi-goal games in Major League Soccer history. Only a few players have been able to reach this historic milestone, and now Messi has joined this list.
The Argentine achieved this record with his excellent performance in a 7-1 annihilation of CF Montréal, where he scored four goals and recorded an assist. By doing so, he achieved the 20 multi-goal games milestone in just 72 league games. Let’s take a look at other players to achieve this mark.
Also Read: List of all 50+ Guinness World Records held by Lionel Messi
Fastest players to score 20 multi-goal games in MLS
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5. Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): 178 games
In his 178th Major League Soccer appearance, Landon Donovan became the first-ever player to score 20th multiple-goal games. This was a long-standing Major League Soccer record for the fastest time a player had to record 20 multi-goal outings throughout his stellar career with the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Donovan’s 178-game record was surpassed by Josef Martínez and Robbie Keane, but his entire career remains among the finest in league history.
4. Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls): 149 games
One of the renowned strikers for the New York Red Bulls, Bradley Wright-Phillips set plenty of records during his time and also joined the list of players to score 20 multi-goal games in Major League Soccer.
On May 20, 2018, Bradley Wright-Phillips had his 20th multi-goal game in Major League Soccer in his 149th appearance. He reached this milestone while playing as a standout attacker for the New York Red Bulls. He was one of the first players to accomplish this multi-goal milestone, although other players later surpassed him.
3. Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy): 124 games
On September 25, 2016, Robbie Keane completed his 20th multi-goal game in Major League Soccer during his 124th appearance for the LA Galaxy. He finished his Major League Soccer tenure with 83 regular-season goals and 45 assists in 125 games. He also earned the 2014 MLS MVP award, as well as three MLS Cups with Los Angeles.
2. Josef Martinez (Atlanta United): 100 games
Josef Martínez scored 20+ goals in his first 100 Major League Soccer games. For numerous years, this was the quickest that any player had recorded 20 multi-goal games in Major League Soccer history, until Messi broke the record.
Martinez joined Atlanta United on loan before making the move permanent, and he spent five seasons there, setting new records and leading them to silverware.
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): 72 games
Lionel Messi established himself as the quickest player in Major League Soccer history to achieve 20 multi-goal games, doing it in just 72 games.
Messi netted four goals in Inter Miami CF‘s stunning 7-1 victory over CF Montréal on August 29, 2026. With 20 multi-goal outings in 72 matches, he beat Josef Martínez’s league record of 100 games. The performance raised his season total to 18 goals in 19 games.
Who was the first player to reach 20 multi-goal games fastest in MLS history?
Landon Donovan was the first player to achieve the milestone, reaching 20 multi‑goal games in his 178th match.
How many games did Lionel Messi need to reach 20 multi-goal games in MLS?
Messi needed just 72 matches, becoming the fastest player in MLS history to hit the mark.
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