LIONEL MESSI HAT TRICK HELPS INTER MIAMI BREAK MLS POINTS RECORD

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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SULLIVAN, 14, BECOMES YOUNGEST MLS PLAYER

Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has become the youngest Major Soccer League player in history.

Sullivan, who is expected to move to Manchester City when he is 18, was an 85th-minute substitute in the 5-1 win over New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.

At 14 years and 293 days, he broke the record set by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days when he played for DC United in 2004.

Sullivan also became the youngest North American player in the top flight of a team sport.

He signed for Philadelphia in May, in the biggest homegrown player deal in MLS history.

"The collaboration between the Union and the City Group was - that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They're like every kid's dream team," Sullivan told ESPN, external at the time.

"For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something - I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan."

Adu reacted to his record being broken on social media. "Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today," Adu said.

"That's a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man."

Before Sullivan's debut, Union manager Jim Curtin told the MLS website:, external "The sky's the limit.

"He's a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself."

Sullivan's brother Quinn, 20, also plays for Union.

The youngest male player to appear in the English top flight is Ethan Nwaneri, who made his Arsenal debut at 15 years and 181 days in 2022.

- BBC

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