Messi Scores Four Goals as Inter Miami Defeats Montreal 7-1

Inter Miami secured a 7-1 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Miami, Florida, driven by a four-goal performance from forward Lionel Messi. The heavy win ended a five-match winless streak across all competitions for the Major League Soccer club, providing a turn in momentum after recent struggles.

The fixture represented the first time in Messi’s MLS career that he scored four goals during a single match. Beyond his four scoring strikes, the 39-year-old team captain contributed an assist. The goal-scoring display raised Messi’s tally to 18 goals for the current season, placing him at the top of the MLS individual scoring standings.

Messi re-established Inter Miami’s lead shortly before the half-time break. He doubled his personal tally early in the second half with a strike in the 52nd minute. The forward achieved his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, before capping the scoreline in stoppage time by successfully converting a free kick to complete his four-goal night.

Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos lauded the Argentinian playmaker after the final whistle, remarking that “there are no words to describe such footballing beauty.” Hoyos, who is also from Argentina, added that analyzing Messi as a person and a player requires deep consideration, stating that the forward is never ordinary and continuously seeks out opportunities to score or create plays for his teammates.

Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro also highlighted the influence of his new teammate during a post-match interview with Apple TV. The 34-year-old former Brazil international joined Inter Miami in July 2026 following the end of his contract at English Premier League club Manchester United. Casemiro spent much of his earlier career playing against Messi in Spain while representing Real Madrid, competing directly against Messi’s former club, Barcelona. Reflecting on their current partnership in Miami, Casemiro told Apple TV that “with him, we are so much stronger,” noting that the team must enjoy playing alongside a figure who continues to make history.

Background

Lionel Messi joined Major League Soccer following an extensive career in European club football, spent predominantly at Barcelona. On the international level, he captained Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 and led the national team to the World Cup final earlier in 2026, where Argentina finished as runners-up to Spain.