Dbarta24 Sports Desk – Lionel Messi put on a masterclass performance in Florida, scoring four goals to lead Inter Miami to a resounding 7-1 victory over CF Montréal.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s individual brilliance snapped a frustrating five-match winless slump for the defending MLS champions, propelling them back into winning form in emphatic style.
Ending the Drought
Inter Miami entered the fixture under pressure following a poor stretch of play, having suffered four defeats in their previous five outings since the World Cup.
Looking for leadership to steady the ship, fans turned to their talismanic captain, and Messi delivered a performance for the history books.
The match began promisingly for the home side when Brazilian midfielder Casemiro netted his first goal for the club, converting a header in the 20th minute.
Although Montreal momentarily threatened to disrupt Miami’s evening when Fabian Herbers equalized in the 37th minute with a low drive from outside the box, the stage was quickly set for Messi’s dominance.
The Messi Masterclass
Messi kick-started his scoring spree in the 40th minute, curling a low free-kick past Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillem to restore Miami’s lead before halftime.
The Argentine superstar elevated his game further in the second half, doubling his tally in the 51st minute after dribbling past multiple defenders.
In the 80th minute, Messi turned playmaker to setup teammate Luis Suárez for a goal. Just three minutes later, he sealed his dynamic hat-trick by latching onto a precise pass from Rodrigo De Paul and delicate chipping over Gillem.
In stoppage time (90+6′), Messi completed his four-goal masterpiece with another curling free-kick. Alex Shaw also added to the scoreline as Miami coasted to a seven-goal victory.
Milestone Achievement and Season Standings
The performance marked the eighth time in Messi’s career that he has scored four or more goals in a single match, but his first time achieving the feat in an Inter Miami shirt.
The last time he scored four goals in a single fixture was in February 2020 for Barcelona against Eibar.
The four-goal haul brings Messi’s total to 18 goals in 19 MLS appearances this season, placing him at the top of the league’s scoring charts ahead of FC Dallas’s Petar Musa (16 goals).
The victory keeps Inter Miami firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference standings as they look to close the ten-point gap on league leaders Nashville.