Sem Surridge overtakes Messi in the MLS goalscorer race: how it happened.

According to The Sun: Just three seasons ago, Sem Surridge was struggling to score goals in the Premier League while playing for Nottingham Forest, where he managed only one goal in 20 matches.

Today, Surridge is competing with one of the greatest footballers of all time — Lionel Messi. The Nashville player in Major League Soccer is currently leading the Golden Boot race, ahead of Messi: he has 21 goals, while the Argentine has 20.

“Being in the race with Messi is special for me. It’s somewhat surreal.”

Nashville has four matches left in the regular season, while Inter Miami, where Messi plays, still has seven, as the team is participating in the Club World Cup.

Surridge is not worried about the chances of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, focusing instead on his own game.

Sem, a former Bournemouth academy player, recalls how he watched Messi's class when Nashville faced Inter in July.

“They were winners. They have what makes them unique.”

“When there was a free kick on the edge of the box, I just knew Messi would score, and he did.”

“It was pretty incredible. He can create something out of nothing.”

Continuing, he noted: “Messi can score many goals in a game, and I can’t control that. I’m focused on what I can do. It’s also great that he’s playing well, as this is my personal battle with him, but there are a few other competitors in the race for the Golden Boot.”

Winning the Golden Boot race is important not only for Surridge but for the entire football world, as it highlights Nashville's growth in Major League Soccer. It shows that talented players can achieve great success regardless of previous struggles. The competition between stars like Surridge and Messi only enhances interest in the league and motivates young footballers to reach new heights.