Lionel Messi Shines with Four Goals as Inter Miami Dominates Montreal 7-1

Lionel Messi delivered a dazzling performance in Miami, Florida, on August 29, 2026, scoring four goals for the first time in his Major League Soccer (MLS) career to lead Inter Miami to a resounding 7-1 victory over CF Montreal [Chandan Khanna/AFP].

The historic four-goal haul and an assist helped Inter Miami snap a disappointing five-game winless run across all competitions. The 39-year-old maestro restored Miami's advantage just before half-time, struck again in the 52nd minute, secured his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, and put the finishing touch on the match with a brilliant free kick in stoppage time. With this performance, the former Barcelona forward climbed to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 18 goals this season.

Inter interim coach Guillermo Hoyos was left searching for superlatives after the match. "There are no words to describe such footballing beauty," Hoyos said. "So much is going on that words simply fall short. He is constantly looking for that goal, that play, that pass; I don't think he's an ordinary footballer."

Messi, who previously won the 2022 World Cup and captained Argentina to this year's World Cup final against Spain, continues to draw high praise from his teammates. Midfielder Casemiro shared his thoughts with Apple TV following the match. "That's what it means to have Messi on the team," Casemiro said. "We have to enjoy these moments because he is a person, a player that makes history."

Casemiro, 34, joined Inter Miami in July after his contract expired at Manchester United. Despite spending years on opposite sides of the fierce Real Madrid and Barcelona rivalry, the Brazilian and Messi are now united on the pitch. "We saw today that we have to enjoy it, keep supporting and keep competing with him because he continues to be the best," Casemiro added. "He proved it in the World Cup. We have to enjoy it because, with him, we are so much stronger."