Lionel Messi ended Inter Miami’s five game winless run in emphatic fashion, scoring four times and setting up another goal in a 7-1 thrashing of Montreal on Saturday night.
It was exactly the kind of performance Miami needed after a difficult spell. The victory was their first in five matches and the biggest in the club’s history.
For Messi, there was also another milestone to celebrate as his four goals took his career tally to 926.
Casemiro put Miami ahead in the 20th minute, rising to head in Telasco Segovia’s corner. Montreal hit back through Fabian Herbers before Messi restored the hosts’ lead with a free kick just before half-time.
Seven minutes into the second half, Messi struck again. He picked up a pass from Luis Suarez, worked his way past three defenders and fired into the net to make it 3-1.
He then returned the favour to Suarez in the 80th minute, laying on the pass for the Uruguayan to score Miami’s fourth.
Messi completed his hat-trick three minutes later, lifting the ball over Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier, before Alexander Shaw added a sixth in the 89th minute.
There was still time for one more from Messi.
Deep into stoppage time, he curled another free kick into the net to complete a four goal night and put the finishing touch on a result that Miami badly needed.
The win moves Messi to the top of the MLS scoring chart with 18 league goals this season, while his contribution against Montreal leaves him with 21 goals and 11 assists for Miami in 23 appearances in 2026.