Messi hat trick secures Miami MLS points record

Lionel Messi scored a stunning 11-minute hat trick to help Inter Miami break the Major League Soccer record for most points in a single season, after defeating the New England Revolution 6-2 Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Miami concluded the MLS regular season with 74 points in 34 games and a 22-4-8 (W-L-D) record, narrowly besting the Revolution’s 2021 mark of 73 points.

Luis Suárez propelled Inter Miami to come back from two goals down after 34 minutes, scoring twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chase for the points record.

Benjamin Cremaschi then put Miami ahead for the first time in the 58th minute. But it was captain Messi who fittingly cemented Inter Miami’s name in league history when scoring the fourth, fifth and sixth goals.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came off the bench in the 55th minute to make an instant impact with his first hat trick for Miami, in the process becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.

Miami also becomes the first team in MLS history to have multiple players score at least 20 goals in a season.

With 20 goals apiece, Messi and Suárez are set to finish second in the Golden Boot race to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke. Messi, though, leads the league in total goal contributions with a combined 36 goals and assists in only 19 games.

It was a night of celebration for Miami. The team was awarded the 2024 Supporters’ Shield after the final whistle, having clinched the prize for MLS’ best regular-season record for the first time earlier this month. The trophy was Miami’s first piece of MLS silverware since debuting as an expansion club in 2020.

Inter Miami previously lifted the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup trophy soon after Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023.

Following Saturday’s win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino also announced that Miami will take part in the 2025 Club World Cup and host the expanded 32-team tournament’s opening game at Hard Rock Stadium.

More immediately, Inter Miami will now have home-field advantage through the MLS playoffs. The team kicks off the postseason Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.