Messi's Four-Goal Outburst Powers Inter Miami to Record Rout
Lionel Messi scored four goals and added an assist as Inter Miami crushed CF Montréal 7-1, the club's largest margin of victory ever. Two of his goals came from direct free kicks, making him the ninth MLS player to achieve that feat in a match. The win also marked the first time Inter Miami tallied seven goals in a single game.
Messi's 16th goal of the 2026 MLS campaign pulled him level with FC Dallas striker Petar Musa atop the league scoring chart. His 62nd career hat-trick came via a delicate chip in the 83rd minute, three minutes after setting up Luis Suárez for Inter Miami's fourth goal.
The victory at Nu Stadium surpassed the club's previous best margin, and the seven-goal output marked a franchise first. Only LA Galaxy's eight-goal performance in 1998 stands above it in MLS history. Messi's two direct free-kick goals placed him among just nine players in league annals to accomplish that in a single match.
This performance may energize MLS audiences and reinforce Messi's continued dominance at 39, potentially boosting attendance and broadcast interest across the league. It could also intensify the Golden Boot race with Musa, drawing casual fans into the season's narrative. However, the lopsided result may raise questions about competitive balance within the league