The legendary No. 10 netted four times and added an assist, lifting his season tally to 18 goals and 10 assists. This dominant surge pushed him past FC Dallas striker Petar Musa for the top spot in the MLS Golden Boot race presented by Audi. The 7-1 result also established a new club record for goals scored in a single match.
Golden Boot and MVP Chase
Despite Inter Miami trailing Nashville SC by 10 points in the Eastern Conference, Messi’s offensive explosion places him squarely in the Landon Donovan MLS MVP conversation. The 39-year-old is chasing an unprecedented third consecutive MVP award, having already claimed the honor in each of the last two seasons.
Saturday’s performance cemented Messi’s place in the league record books. He became just the 19th player in MLS history to score four goals in a single match. Furthermore, he reached 20 multigoal games faster than anyone in league history, accomplishing the feat in just 72 appearances.
Goal Breakdown Against CF Montréal
Inter Miami needed a response after a five-game winless run across all competitions. Midfielder Casemiro broke the ice by opening his MLS account in the 20th minute. After Montréal equalized, Lionel Messi snapped the 1-1 deadlock with a precise free kick in the 40th minute.
The Argentine star continued his dominance in the second half. He added a second goal via a dazzling solo run in the 52nd minute. Later, Messi chipped CF Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier to complete his hat trick. He capped off the historic night by smashing home a long-range free kick in the final moments.
Praise from Teammates and Coaches
Casemiro, who watched Messi closely during their shared time in La Liga, emphasized the importance of savoring these moments. “That’s what it means to have Messi on the team,” Casemiro told Apple TV. “We have to enjoy these moments because he is a person, a player who 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.”
Interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos, who watched from the stands due to a suspension, struggled to find words for Messi’s display. “He manifests himself now the same way he manifested himself at that age,” Hoyos said. “The similarities are unbelievable, with his soccer abilities increased by all of his soccer knowledge… I see something really surprising in him: permanent growth.” Hoyos added that Messi is not a normal soccer player, requiring deep analysis to truly understand his impact on and off the pitch.
What Happens Next
The victory marks a transition period for Inter Miami. New manager Cristian ‘Kily’ González is preparing to take the reins from Hoyos. The club will look to build on this historic win when they host Atlanta United next Saturday at 7:30 pm ET on Apple TV.
While the Supporters’ Shield remains a long shot given Nashville SC’s lead, the club aims to secure a playoff position and chase a second consecutive MLS Cup. If Messi maintains this scoring pace, a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP trophy could soon follow.
— James Okafor, sports desk, AXO News