Lionel Messi hat trick helps Inter Miami set record points in single MLS season

Lionel Messi scored a stunning hat trick on Sunday and guided Miami to a terrific win over New England Revolution. In the process, Inter Miami shattered the record for most points ever scored in a single season of the tournament.

Inter Miami beat New England Revolution 6-2 in MLS
Inter Miami register the most points in a single season of MLS
Messi scored a hat trick in the match

Lionel Messi’s spectacular hat trick propelled Inter Miami to a new MLS single-season points record during their 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday, marking an exhilarating MLS Decision Day.

Despite entering the match as a substitute in the 58th minute, Messi made an immediate impact by assisting on Benjamin Cremaschi’s go-ahead goal just moments after coming onto the field. He then scored three consecutive goals, leading Miami’s charge after they initially trailed 2-0 within the first 39 minutes.

Despite not entering the match until the 58th minute, Messi set up Benjamin Cremaschi’s goal just seconds after coming on. The captain then scored the final three of Miami’s six goals, as the Eastern Conference leaders recovered from 2-0 down after 39 minutes.

Miami’s tally of 74 points in 34 games broke the old mark of 73 points, set by the 2021 Revolution squad, after the final round of matches. With the points record and the Supporters’ Shield clinched, the Herons now look to finish the story by capturing the MLS Cup.

“Our captain has led us, the players have led us in times where it was difficult,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “But now, tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday and the play-offs.”

Luis Suarez had two goals and two assists, with both strikes coming within a three-minute span in the first half.

Messi and Suarez finished their first full MLS seasons with 20 goals apiece.

Messi also had 16 assists in his 19 regular-season matches, while Suarez contributed nine assists in 27 matches.

Said Miami coach Gerardo Martino of Messi: “After the major injury he had in the Copa America, we had to be very careful in his recovery and in his insertion into the team.

“And it seems to me that both the Argentinian team and us here were very careful with that issue and we ended up nourishing each other.”

Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero scored for the Revolution, whose disappointing season ended on a four-match losing streak.

New England (31 points) finished 14th in the 15-team East.

Miami’s first play-off match is on Oct 25 against the winner of the Eastern Conference wildcard match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

In more good news for Miami, Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced on Oct 19 that they will feature in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup.

Messi and his teammates will kick off the tournament in the opening game at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins, on June 15, Infantino added.

The Fifa president was speaking on the field at Chase Stadium moments after their win over New England.

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Miami will take the qualification slot designated for the host nation.

“Inter Miami qualifies as the host country representative team on the basis of the club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign that saw them secure the (Supporters’ Shield) with two MLS matches to play,” Fifa said in a statement.

The participation of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is a much-needed boost to the profile of the 32-team tournament, which Fifa hopes will capture the imagination of the global television audience as well as fans in the United States ahead of the World Cup in 2026.

Players’ union Fifpro and the European Leagues body filed a joint complaint to the European Commission against Fifa over the introduction of the tournament into the international match calendar.

Opponents of the new event have said it adds further congestion to an already crowded schedule and increases the workload of players. REUTERS, AFP