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| Lionel Messi and Inter Miami lifted the MLS Supporters' Shield after Saturday's game. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky |
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 rally from two goals down after 34 minutes, scoring twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chase for the points record.
But it was captain Messi who fittingly cemented Inter Miami's name in league history. Just one minute after coming on he helped set up Benjamin Cremaschi to put Miami ahead for the first time in the 58th minute.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner then took center stage himself, starting in the 78th minute, to score his first hat trick for Miami and in the process become the club's all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.
Miami also became 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 (23 goals). Messi, though, leads the league in total goal contributions with a combined 36 goals and assists in only 19 games.
"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 playoffs.
"As my partner and friend Jorge Mas said, this was always about creating history for Miami. This was always about family, la familia, our people in this stadium. Tonight, it's about you guys because you supported us through the tough times and you're supporting us through the good times."
Messi returned to action only last month after after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in the final of the Copa América on July 14. But he now has hat tricks in back-to-back games following his treble in Argentina's World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia on Tuesday.
"After the major injury he had in the Copa América, we had to be very careful in his recovery and in his insertion into the team," Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino told reporters. "And it seems to me that both the Argentine team and us here were very careful with that issue and we ended up nourishing each other.
"I think the game with Columbus was very important, especially the second half, with Leo being very involved in what happened in that game. And obviously we also drew nourishment from this last match with Bolivia where he already seemed much looser, much more in rhythm. And obviously today, well, I think the first ball he touches is the pass to Jordi Alba [for Miami's third goal], so today the feeling that we have it in an ideal situation."
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 best regular-season record in MLS 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.
After Saturday's win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Miami would 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 Tuesday between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.
"Let's get ready for the playoffs," Beckham said.
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