Under the bright lights of Inter Miami's home ground in Florida, the MLS side turned a routine regular‑season fixture into a showcase of offensive firepower, routing CF Montréal 7‑1 in front of a roaring crowd. The result not only underscored the growing influence of the franchise in the Eastern Conference but also marked a pivotal moment in the team's push to defend their back‑to‑back championship titles.
At the heart of the onslaught was Lionel Messi, whose four goals and single assist left the opposition reeling and the MLS record books updated. The Argentine forward opened the scoring with a precision free‑kick in the 40th minute, added a solo effort in the 52nd, completed a hat‑trick with cleverly chipped strikes, and sealed the final blow with another set‑piece. His performance also featured a decisive assist that capped a seamless display of creativity and finishing.
A Milestone in MLS History
Messi's outburst placed him among an elite group of 19 players in league history to register a four‑goal game, and it propelled him to the fastest 20 multigoal appearances in just 72 matches. The haul vaulted him to the top of the Golden Boot race with 18 goals and 10 assists, eclipsing Petar Musa's previous tally and reinforcing his candidacy for the MLS MVP award, which he has captured in each of the past two seasons.
The victory also carried strategic weight for Inter Miami, who now sit with a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference despite trailing Nashville SC by ten points in the Supporters' Shield race. Club President Guillermo Hoyos praised Messi's "permanent growth" and technical brilliance, noting that the star transcends traditional soccer standards. Midfielder Casemiro echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how Messi's presence elevates the entire squad and fuels their championship aspirations.