New Delhi: Lionel Messi is on a brilliant touch as he scores his second hat-trick in just days after scoring for Argentina against Bolivia. This time, his treble came for Inter Miami in 11 minutes as the New England Revolution lost 6-2 in the Chase Stadium, Florida.
Inter Miami recorded the best-ever tally in an MLS season, taking home 74 points, smashing the record held by New England themselves when they finished their 2021 season with 73 points. New England Revolution put Inter Miami on the back foot early, with their first goal coming in just a couple of minutes from kick-off, and doubled their lead in the 34th minute.
Luis Suarez, however, took charge of a counter-attack for the Herons. The Uruguayan footballer scored a brace in just three minutes, taking the hosts into the break on the level. However, it was Messi, who started the game on the bench, delivered the final blow to New England. Coming in at the 57th minute, Messi set up Benjamin Cremaschi in just a minute to put Inter Miami in the lead.
3️⃣🇦🇷 Leo Messi hat-trick again… and it’s his second hat-trick in five days with club and country!
20 goals, 10 assists in 19 MLS games this season. Record points for Inter Miami. ✨ pic.twitter.com/e1xysFeTh5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2024
A Game of records for Inter Miami
It was then that the Herons captain gave the game a different pulse as he scored his first goal in the 78th minute and, within 11 minutes, completed his hat-trick. Messi’s Inter Miami now enter the MLS playoffs as one of the strongest contenders to lift the MLS Cup. Apart from taking away the most tally points in the season, Inter Miami have ended the season with a 76.5 win percentage.
Messi did Messi things 🐐
First MLS hat trick to help @InterMiamiCF breaks the MLS single-season points record. pic.twitter.com/slAuAVHUS1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2024
The previous record by the last four teams was 75%, and Inter Miami have taken home this record as well. Messi’s hat-trick is first in the Inter Miami jersey. With 20 goals coming from his boot, he is tied with Suarez in second place, and both are just three goals behind the season’s top scorer, Christian Benteke. The feat makes Miami the first side to have multiple players score 20 goals in the season.
Inter Miami is currently the only fourth team in MLS history to have a season with just four losses. They have also won the Supporter’s Shield and are looking to bag a double this season with the MLS title. With the win, the Herons are now qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup and will play as hosts for the inaugural game of the 2025 World Cup.
Having missed quite a few games this season due to injury and international duty, the 37-year-old’s performance at Chase Stadium reminded him of his peak performance for Barcelona during the last decade.
