Lionel Messi’s stunning performances during the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season have taken the sporting world by storm, culminating with him leading Inter Miami to unprecedented heights. Over the course of this season, he not only electrified fans but also set new records and established himself as the club's all-time leading scorer during the dramatic ending of the regular season.
On Saturday night, Messi came off the bench to deliver one of his most exhilarating displays yet, scoring a hat trick within 11 minutes to help Inter Miami secure a 6-2 victory against the New England Revolution. This win marked the team's final match of the regular season and allowed them to finish with a record 74 points, trumping the previous highest tally of 73 set by the Revolution back in 2021.
The game took place at Chase Stadium, where the atmosphere was electric, fans revved up by the prospect of new records and the sight of their star player preparing for his entry. Despite starting from the sidelines, Messi made his presence felt almost immediately upon subbing in, assisting teammate Benjamin Cremaschi to score the go-ahead goal just moments after entering the match.
Once the match resumed at 2-2, Messi demonstrated his prowess as he netted his first goal of the night with a precise left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. Then, adding to his tally just three minutes later, he converted another chance after receiving support from Jordi Alba. His final goal came at the cusp of the match, sealing not just his hat trick but also his status as Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing teammate Leonardo Campana's record with 33 goals.
This performance was particularly symbolic not only for Messi but also for the club, which has seen remarkable growth since its inception just six years ago, co-founded by former football stars David Beckham and Jorge Mas. The win allowed Inter Miami to celebrate with their supporters, raising the Supporters' Shield – awarded to the best team during the regular season – as confetti fell and fireworks lit up the night sky.
Messi’s hat trick this past weekend follows another extraordinary display where he had previously scored three goals and provided two assists for the Argentine national team during a World Cup qualifying match just days earlier, where they triumphed 6-0 over Bolivia. With this exceptional form, he ended the season boasting 20 goals and 16 assists in just 1,485 minutes of play, leading the league with the most goal contributions, underlining his influence on the offense.
While Messi basked in the glory of his achievements, his storied rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo faced an interesting twist. With this latest triumph, Messi became the only player in the world to be the top scorer for three different teams: Barcelona, Argentina, and now Inter Miami. Previously, Ronaldo held similar feats but had only been recognized for two teams - Real Madrid and the Portugal national side. This established Messi not just as one of the best ever, but as the definitive scoring leader across multiple clubs.
Then came the Grand Finale of the regular season where the New England Revolution initially shocked the home crowd by jumping out to a 2-0 lead. It was startling, to say the least, especially since it echoed their past season performance, where they faced Miami at home and similarly stumbled with early goals from their opponents. Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero capitalized early on some defensive slip-ups by Miami, but the Revolution couldn't hold their lead for long.
Just when it appeared the Revolution would maintain their early advantage to settle for at least one record during the season, Luis Suárez displayed his elite skills. The legendary Uruguayan forward brought Miami back to parity just before half-time with two quick-fire goals, rallying the team and the fans alike.
Messi, having now entered to influence the match after halftime, bursted onto the pitch and quickly established himself as the linchpin of the team's comeback. His flair for timely scores turned the tide, demonstrating once more how pivotal he can be for his side. Post-match, Messi reflected on the victory and expressed his pride and determination for the upcoming playoffs, where Inter Miami enters as the top seed, allowing them home advantage for all potential rounds.
The evening ended with significant celebrations, both for Messi’s individual milestones and for Inter Miami breaking records as they officially celebrated at the end of the regular season. The club’s success was reflected not merely on their performance but also showcased the influx of talent with Messi, Suárez, and Alba forming what many have begun calling the most formidable squad MLS has ever seen.
Looking forward, the team is set to kick off their playoff campaign starting October 25th. With this rejuvenated confidence, Messi and Inter Miami aims to extend their successes and bring home the MLS Cup, adding to their trophy cabinet. Fans around the world eagerly await to see how this thrilling chapter of Messi's career will develop as he continues to break records and charm supporters on the pitch.
