Lionel Messi stole the show with an incredible 11-minute hat trick to inspire Inter Miami to a 6-2 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday, sealing the Major League Soccer record for most points in one season. Miami concluded the regular season with 74 points after the win at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Revolution had set the record with 73 points in 2021.
Inter Miami Record Season Continues:
Inter Miami finished off their season with a 22-4-8 (W-L-D) mark, rounding out the campaign with one final historic moment. Luis Suárez accounted for two quick goals in a rally for Miami from two goals down in just the 34th minute to keep pursuit of the point record alive.
But then there was Messi. The Argentine legend, off the bench, set up Benjamin Cremaschi for Miami’s go-ahead goal just a minute after coming in during the 58th minute. Messi then scored three times himself, starting in the 78th minute, marking his first hat trick for the club and making him Miami’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.
Miami also made history in MLS, becoming the first team to have multiple players score at least 20 goals in one season. Both Messi and Suárez finished with 20 goals apiece as they trailed only D.C. United’s Christian Benteke in the Golden Boot race. Messi leads the league in overall goal contributions, amassing 36 goals and assists in just 19 games.
Messi”sCelebration and Looking Ahead:
After the match, Messi and his teammates lifted the MLS Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. It was the first MLS silverware for Miami since they began as an expansion club in 2020. The win extends their success since Messi’s summer 2023 arrival, which has also seen them capture the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup.
“Our captain has led us through tough times and now, we celebrate,” said Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. “Tonight is for our fans. Tomorrow, we prepare for the playoffs.”
Messi, who in September had returned to action after recovering from an ankle ligament injury he sustained in the Copa América final in July, has consecutive hat tricks for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia and then for Miami.
Head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino attributed this to both the Argentine national team and Miami, who were very cautious with Messi’s recovery. “We were careful with his recovery, and now we’re seeing the results,” Martino said. “He’s in an ideal situation.”
What’s Next for Inter Miami?
Saturday’s victory brought more good news for Miami as FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the team would feature at the 2025 Club World Cup. Miami will also host the opening game of the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium.
The more immediate impact, though, sees Miami enter the MLS playoffs with home-field advantage. Their postseason campaign begins on Friday, with the winner of Tuesday’s Eastern Conference wild-card game between CF Montreal and Atlanta United their opponent.
