Lionel Messi scored four times as Inter Miami ended their recent winless run with a record-breaking 7-1 win over CF Montreal on Saturday.
The result saw Miami score more goals in a single match than ever before, with Messi putting on another memorable display to fire his side back to winning ways.
The Argentine opened the scoring in the 40th minute when his free kick took a deflection on its way into the net.
Messi doubled Miami’s advantage seven minutes after half-time following a brilliant solo run, before turning provider for Luis Suarez to make it 3-0.
He then completed his hat trick with seven minutes of normal time remaining, delicately lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.
Messi still had time to add another.
Deep into stoppage time, the 39-year-old stepped up for another free kick and curled the ball into the side of the net with his usual precision.
“That’s what it means to have Messi on the team,” Miami midfielder Casemiro told Apple TV. “We have to enjoy these moments because he is a person, a player that makes history.
“We saw today that we have to enjoy it, keep supporting and keep competing with him because he continues to be the best. He proved it in the World Cup. We have to enjoy it because, with him, we are so much stronger.”
Messi still making history
The four-goal haul was the eighth time Messi has scored at least four goals in a match during his career, but the first since joining Inter Miami.
His previous four-goal performance came in February 2020, when he found the net four times for Barcelona against Eibar in LaLiga.
Messi has also become the fastest player in MLS history to record 20 multigoal games in the regular season, reaching the mark in just 72 appearances.
The veteran forward now leads the MLS scoring charts with 18 goals from 19 matches this season, two clear of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa.
“There are no words to describe such footballing beauty,” Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said. “So much is going on that words simply fall short.
“He is constantly looking for that goal, that play, that pass; I don’t think he’s an ordinary footballer. Analysing him, both as a player and as a person, goes so deep that you run out of words.”
The victory was Miami’s first in MLS since July 25 and ended a five-game winless run in all competitions, including the Leagues Cup.
The hosts added a seventh goal through 18-year-old Alexander Shaw in the 89th minute.
The win keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference, although they remain 10 points behind Nashville SC.
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