Messi’s Hat Trick Caps Off Historic Season for Inter Miami

On the last game of a historic season for Inter Miami, the Herons had another opportunity to make MLS history. They were one win away from breaking the all-time points record set by the New England Revolution, which happened to be the team they were playing on Saturday night. Poetic. Luis Suarez added two goals to give Inter Miami a 3-2 lead, and in the 58th minute, Lionel Messi entered the game. The next 30 minutes were magical. Messi scored a hat trick, added an assist, and blew the game open as Inter Miami routed the Revolution, becoming the first MLS team ever to reach 74 points in a single season.

How dominant were Messi and Inter Miami this season?

By the Numbers:

20 & 16

The total number of goals and assists Messi recorded this year. Despite playing only 19 games (out of 34), Messi finished with 20 goals and 16 assists for the season.

3

Messi becomes the first player ever to be the top scorer for three different teams.

74

Inter Miami becomes the all-time points leader in MLS history, surpassing the New England Revolution, who tallied 73 points in 2021.

2

Messi scored two hat tricks in four days. He netted six goals, provided three assists, and had nine goal contributions in the two games combined.

849

Messi became the youngest player ever in football history to reach 849 goals.

740

Lionel Messi now holds the record for the most non-penalty goals in football history.

29

Inter Miami was ranked 29th out of 29 teams just 1.5 years ago before Messi’s arrival. Since his arrival, Inter Miami has become, by far, the best team in the MLS.

1

The storied Madrid-based publication Marca named Lionel Messi the greatest player ever this week. Messi continues to cement his status internationally as the greatest to ever do it, and is even receiving recognition from Cristiano Ronaldo’s former stomping grounds. Legendary.

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