Not Lionel Messi: Overlooked Inter Miami star closes in on MLS scoring record

Inter Miami winger Tadeo Allende has emerged from relative obscurity to become a key attacking piece for head coach Javier Mascherano in recent weeks.

As Miami prepare for Saturday’s MLS Cup - competing for the first championship in team history - the Argentine No. 21 has hit a historic patch of goalscoring form. Out of nowhere, Allende is closing in on one of the league’s longest-standing records.

During Miami’s emphatic 5–1 win over New York City FC on Saturday, Allende scored a hat-trick to take him to eight goals in five postseason games this year. That puts him level with Carlos “Pescadito” Ruiz for the most goals in a single MLS postseason. Ruiz set the mark in 2002 and now, 23 years later, the 26-year-old winger has matched it.

Allende’s breakout campaign hasn’t gone unnoticed back in his native Argentina. Reports suggest that River Plate are already interested in signing Allende, who is currently on loan at Inter Miami from Celta Vigo. If he can fire Miami to an MLS Cup triumph on Saturday there could be a major bidding war for his services.

But while Allende has hit form in the last few weeks, Lionel Messi is also within striking distance of the postseason scoring record. The Inter Miami captain has six goals so far, meaning a standout performance in the final could see him surpass both Allende and Ruiz.

Messi is currently tied with Roy Lassiter, Robbie Keane, Dejan Joveljic and Raúl Díaz Arce on six goals. He did not score in the 5-1 victory over NYCFC and will be eager to make his presence felt in his first MLS Cup appearance.

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