Lionel Messi’s League Cup goalscoring record has been broken by the in-form Gabon striker.

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga has surpassed Lionel Messi to become the player with the most goals in Leagues Cup history. Messi previously scored 10 goals in the first ever 47-team tournament last year.

However, the Argentine legend is unable to compete in the Leagues Cup this season. Messi suffered an ankle injury in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final last month. In his absence, The Herons lost 2-3 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.