Miami: Lionel Messi, the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning captain and the runner-up captain at the 2026 World Cup, produced another extraordinary performance in Major League Soccer (MLS) in Miami on Saturday, scoring four consecutive goals for Inter Miami against CF Montreal. It was the eighth time in his illustrious career that he has scored four or more goals in a single match.
For the 39-year-old Messi, it was the first time he had scored four goals in a single MLS match. His four-goal burst helped Inter Miami thrash Montreal 7-1. It was also the first time Inter Miami had scored seven goals in a single match.
Of Inter Miami’s seven goals, one came after Messi set up his teammate Luis Suarez. Messi scored three of his four goals in the second half, completing his hat-trick during the 45-minute period.
Messi last scored four goals in 2020
It was also the first time Messi had scored four goals in a single match for Inter Miami. The last time he scored four in a match was in 2020, when he achieved the feat for Barcelona against Eibar in Spain’s La Liga.
Inter Miami play without coach
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos had recently been suspended after failing to ensure that his team arrived on time for a match. As a result, Inter Miami played Saturday’s match without a coach, with Messi leading the side on the field.
The victory was Inter Miami’s first since July 25. After going five consecutive matches without a win, the team has now returned to winning ways.