Lionel Messi Shines with Four Goals in Inter Miami’s 7-1 Victory Over CF Montréal
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi had a standout performance on Saturday as he scored four goals, leading his team to a resounding 7-1 victory against CF Montréal. This remarkable feat brought Messi’s season total to 17 goals, placing him at the top of the MLS Golden Boot race, ahead of FC Dallas forward Petar Musa.
Messi showcased his free-kick prowess by netting two goals from set pieces. He first gave Miami the lead in the 40th minute with a bending shot that slipped past the Montréal defense. Continuing his momentum into the second half, Messi scored again after maneuvering through defenders and unleashing a powerful strike.
In the 83rd minute, he expertly chipped the ball over Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier, who rushed to thwart the shot but was unable to reach it in time. Messi sealed his memorable night with another free kick during stoppage time, sending the ball over the wall into the right corner of the net.
This marks Messi’s first four-goal game in Major League Soccer since joining the league. Previously, he had achieved two hat tricks with Miami, one against the New England Revolution in 2024 and another against Nashville SC in 2025, according to FBRef.
With this seven-goal performance, Inter Miami not only set a franchise record for most goals in a single game but also secured their first win in MLS play since July 25. Currently, Miami has scored a total of 56 goals this season, leading the league significantly in offense, although they still trail Nashville, who holds a commanding 10-point lead in the Eastern Conference standings.
Lionel Messi is unstoppable. The Inter Miami star once again had a night to remember on Saturday, scoring four goals as the Herons thrashed CF Montréal 7-1.
With the haul, Messi hit 17 goals on the season, a number that pulls him to a lead in the MLS Golden Boot race. The Inter Miami captain tied and then passed FC Dallas forward Petar Musa for the sole spot at the top of the scoring standings.
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Two of Messi’s goals came off free kicks, one of the veteran forward’s specialties. Messi pulled Miami back into the lead in the 40th minute with a curving shot that was mishandled by the Montréal defense.
Early in the second half, Messi found the back of the net again, staying upright through traffic before sending in a powerful shot.
In the 83rd minute, Messi timed a chip past Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier, who surged to meet the captain but didn’t get there in time.
And then Messi capped it all off in stoppage time with another free kick that cleared the wall and buried itself into the right side of the net.
The massive night marks Messi’s first time scoring a four-goal haul since heading to MLS. Previously, he’d gotten two hat tricks with Miami, scoring one against the New England Revolution in 2024 and another against Nashville SC in 2025, via FBRef.
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By putting up seven goals, Inter Miami also sets a franchise single-game record, and notches its first win in MLS play since July 25. With 56 total goals scored this regular season, Miami is currently outscoring the rest of the league by a significant margin, though Nashville holds a 10-point lead on the Herons for first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
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