Messi's four-goal outburst powers Miami past Montreal, snapping skid
Lionel Messi scored four goals and added an assist as Inter Miami defeated CF Montreal 7-1 on Saturday, ending a five-game winless run. The 39-year-old's performance moved him to 18 league goals, tops in MLS, and came amid recent coaching changes at the club. Miami's interim staff handled sideline duties after new manager Kily González awaited his work permit and interim coach Guillermo Hoyos served a suspension.
Messi's performance unfolded amid significant backroom upheaval in Miami. The club had just hired Cristian "Kily" González as its sixth manager since 2020, but the Argentine could not take charge due to pending work permit paperwork. With interim coach Guillermo Hoyos suspended for repeated late-kickoff violations, assistant coaches directed the team from the sideline while Hoyos observed from an upper-level box.
The match itself featured several notable contributions beyond Messi's haul. Casemiro opened the scoring with a header from a corner, while 18-year-old substitute Alexander Shaw added a long-range strike late on. Messi's four goals came through varied means: a deflected free kick, a solo dribbling effort, a chip over the goalkeeper, and a final free kick that ended the match.
This performance could reinforce Messi's enduring commercial and cultural pull in North America, potentially boosting MLS viewership and attendance among casual fans who tune in specifically for his brilliance. It may also ease pressure on Miami's unsettled coaching situation, buying stability during a turbulent transition. Younger players and rival teams could feel heightened scrutiny when facing Miami, as the spectacle around Messi's every touch continues to shape how the league is perceived globally.