Lionel Messi is a million miles away from Leeds United, but Brenden Aaronson was unfortunately compared with the Argentinian in the United States. It’s a comparison that often haunted him at Elland Road, where he has struggled for form and consistency since his arrival.
Aaronson scored his first goal of the season last weekend in Leeds’ 2-1 win over West Ham at Elland Road. He needed that performance after weeks of criticism, and Leeds needed the three points after a run of poor form.
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The United States international also picked up the Man of the Match award for his performance and could have scored another goal when one of his shots hit the crossbar.
He is one of the most creative players in the Premier League on a particular metric, but against West Ham, he did one more thing that showed why he was compared with Messi in his homeland.
Leeds fans saw ‘Medford Messi’ for the first time at Elland Road
In the 59th minute against the Hammers, Aaronson picked up the ball just ahead of his own penalty box and went on an amazing run, riding the challenges of the West Ham players.
It would have been one of the goals of the season if the American’s shot had hit the target and not the crossbar.
What a goal this would have been from Brenden Aaronson! 🏃
⚪️ @LUFC pic.twitter.com/1QmoUhHQFL
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2025
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth conceded that he hates the fact that Aaronson was termed the ‘Medford Messi’ by his compatriots.
However, Leeds fans got a glimpse of why he got that nickname through that run and admitted that it was one of the most brilliant pieces of play produced on the Elland Road pitch in years.
“I have never said this term out loud because when I hate it with all my being”, Smyth said on the Inside Elland Road Podcast.
But you know what the Americans used to call him? The Medford Messi; I feel like, for the first time ever, he actually lived up to that title.
“Honestly, it was the best and the most stirring runs we have seen at Elland Road in a long time.
“Where he picked the ball up, how he beat players through body swerves to get away, he took Leeds out of a period of pressure, took them all the way to the other end of the pitch.
“Yes, the shot had a hard deflection, but imagine if that had gone in, and not hit the bar? Just imagine.”
Aaronson now needs to produce numbers consistently
The United States has had to endure a lot of stick from Leeds United fans over the years, and is still not rated by a section of the support.
Against West Ham, he showed glimpses of his talent, but he needs to add more consistency and output to his game to really win back the love of the fans.
Aaronson has scored just one goal this season and is yet to register an assist, which is a poor return for a player occupying one of the three forward positions in the team.
He contributes to the overall play with his work ethic, tireless running, and an eye for a pass. However, as a winger, he needs to score more goals and get on the assists table.
Leeds fans got a glimpse of ‘Medford Messi’ last weekend, but he needs to turn up more to show that it was not a flash in the pan.
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