Messi’s four-goal haul ends Inter Miami’s slump in record-breaking style

Lionel Messi scored four times and provided an assist as Inter Miami CF beat CF Montreal 7-1 on Saturday, recording the biggest single-match goal tally in the club’s history and ending a five-game winless run in impressive fashion.

Messi opened the scoring in the 40th minute when his free-kick struck a player in the wall and changed direction on its way into the net. He doubled Inter Miami’s advantage seven minutes after half-time, finishing a remarkable individual run.

The Argentina forward then turned provider for Luis Suarez before completing his hat-trick with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Messi lifted the ball expertly over the goalkeeper to claim his third of the night.

There was still time for another moment of quality. In stoppage time, Messi stepped up for a free-kick and placed it with his customary precision into the side netting.

The result was Inter Miami CF’s highest-scoring match since the club was founded. It was also their first Major League Soccer victory since 25 July and brought an end to a run of five games without a win in all competitions, including the Leagues Cup.

Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro told Apple TV: “This is what it means to have Messi in the team. We have to enjoy these moments, because he is a person and a player who makes history.”

He added: “We saw today that we have to enjoy it, continue supporting him and competing alongside him, because he is still the best. He proved that at the World Cup. We have to enjoy having him, because with him we are much stronger.”

The four-goal performance was the eighth time in Messi’s career that he had scored at least four goals in a single match. It was the first occasion he had achieved the feat since joining Inter Miami CF.

His previous four-goal game came in February 2020, when he scored all four for Barcelona against Eibar in La Liga.

The 39-year-old has also become the fastest player in MLS history to reach 20 regular-season matches in which he has scored at least twice. Messi reached that mark in 72 appearances.

He leads the MLS scoring charts this season with 18 goals from only 19 matches. His total is two higher than that of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa.

Inter Miami CF’s interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, who was suspended for the match, praised Messi’s influence after the emphatic victory.

“There are no words to describe this footballing beauty. So much is happening that words simply cannot describe it,” Hoyos said.

He continued: “He is constantly looking for the goal, for this game, for this pass; I do not think he is an ordinary footballer. Analysing his character, both as a player and as a person, goes so deep that you run out of words.”

The MLS also highlighted Messi’s contribution in the match, which consisted of four goals and an assist, as Inter Miami CF produced a landmark result against CF Montreal.