"He might be the GOAT", "Will never get a player like him" – Fans left stunned as Inter Miami star sets record during win in Lionel Messi's absence

After Jordi Alba set a new record in Inter Miami's 4-3 Leagues Cup triumph against Toronto FC, fans have shared their respective opinions on Argentina legend Lionel Messi's teammate.

Earlier this Thursday (August 8), Gerardo Martino's outfit advanced to the Leagues Cup last-16 stage. Alba laid out a staggering four assists as he set a new Leagues Cup record along with a personal record.

A football fan lauded the former Barcelona left-back, posting on X:

"Jordi Alba four assists... he might be the GOAT."

Showering praise on Alba's performance, a supporter wrote on X:

"Unreal! We only want Miami for MLS Cup, the league needs that! They will never get a player like him with this impact again."

Another fan claimed that Alba is the greatest in his role, posting on X:

"Easily the greatest left-back of all time."

Opining on Alba's outing in Messi's absence, a fan commented on X:

"No Messi, no problem."

Lauding the 35-year-old defender's recent display, a fan wrote on X:

"He still got it."

Another fan hailed Alba's creativity in Inter Miami's win, posting on X:

"Alba cooked tonight."

During the Leagues Cup last-32 tie, Matias Rojas scored twice, Luis Suarez netted one goal, and David Gomez found the back of the net once for the Herons. Toronto recorded three goals through Lorenzo Insigne's two successful penalties and Noah Allen's own goal.

Lionel Messi's Argentina teammate says he rejected chance to join Inter Miami in 2019

During a recent chat with YouTube channel Clank, Argentina international Exequiel Palacios claimed that he had a chance to join Lionel Messi's Inter Miami five years ago. He revealed:

"Back in 2019, I had two options on the table, Bayer Leverkusen or Inter Miami. Miami offered me more money than Bayer, much more money, but there were two things that were on my mind."

Revealing the factors behind joining Bayer Leverkusen, he continued:

"First, I felt that Bayer were more interested in me. They came to my house with a translator to tell me that they wanted me. And then I spoke to [former River Plate defender Javier] Pinola, and he told me not to hesitate, to go to Germany, to go to that league. I discussed it with my family and felt I was ready to go to Europe."

Since departing River Plate to join Bayer Leverkusen for €17 million in the winter of 2020, Palacios has helped his team win two silverwares.

Palacios, who has played alongside Messi 23 times in an Argentina kit, has scored 14 goals and laid out 10 assists in 122 games for his club.