Lionel Messi Scores 4 Goals as Inter Miami Beat Montréal 7-1

Lionel Messi delivered another extraordinary performance for Inter Miami CF, scoring four goals and adding an assist as Miami defeated CF Montréal 7-1 in a dominant Major League Soccer victory on Saturday.

The emphatic result gave Inter Miami its highest-scoring game in club history and ended a five-match winless run across all competitions. Messi’s individual performance was equally remarkable, with the Argentine producing four goals in a single MLS match for the first time since joining the South Florida club.

According to ESPN’s match report, Messi scored in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd and 90+6th minutes, while Casemiro, Luis Suárez and Alexander Shaw also found the net for Miami. Montréal’s lone goal came from Francis Robert Herbers.

Inter Miami vs CF Montréal: Final Score

Inter Miami CF 7-1 CF Montréal

The match quickly turned into a showcase for Miami’s attacking quality, but Messi was ultimately the central figure.

The official MLS match record lists the goals as:

Casemiro — 20th minute
Francis Robert Herbers — 37th minute
Lionel Messi — 40th minute
Lionel Messi — 52nd minute
Lionel Messi — 83rd minute
Luis Suárez — 80th minute
Alexander Shaw — 89th minute
Lionel Messi — 90+6th minute

The four Messi goals came in different ways, underlining the variety that continues to define his attacking game. His first came from a free kick, while his second followed an individual run. He completed his hat trick with a chip before scoring another free kick deep into stoppage time.

Messi Scores Four Goals in One of His Best Inter Miami Performances

The biggest headline from the match is simple: Lionel Messi scored four times.

The 39-year-old’s first goal arrived in the 40th minute when his free kick took a deflection and found the net.

Just 12 minutes into the second half, Messi doubled his tally after creating an opportunity through a remarkable individual move.

His third goal came in the 83rd minute. Messi spotted the goalkeeper’s position and produced a delicate chip to complete his hat trick.

Then, with the match already decided, Messi produced one more moment of brilliance.

Deep into stoppage time, he stepped up for another free kick and sent the ball into the side of the net, completing a four-goal performance.

The official MLS report confirms that Messi finished the match with four goals and one assist.

Messi’s Four Goals End Inter Miami’s Winless Run

The result was particularly important for Inter Miami because the club entered the match looking to stop a difficult run of results.

Miami had gone five matches without a victory across all competitions, making the seven-goal explosion against Montréal an important response.

The victory also helped Miami maintain its position near the top of the Eastern Conference.

The latest MLS standings show Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference, behind Nashville SC.

For a club with ambitions of defending its MLS Cup title and competing for major honours, the timing of the victory could prove important.

Messi’s MLS Goal Tally Reaches 18

The four-goal performance significantly strengthened Messi’s position in the MLS scoring race.

Following the match, MLS reported that Messi had moved to 18 goals and 10 assists in the 2026 regular season. The four-goal haul also pushed him ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa in the Golden Boot race.

That means Messi is now contributing goals at a remarkable rate even at 39.

His latest performance also adds another statistical milestone to an already extraordinary career.

According to MLS, Messi became the 19th player in league history to score four goals in an MLS match and the fastest player in league history to reach 20 regular-season multi-goal games, doing so in 72 appearances.

How Many Goals Has Messi Scored in His Career?

The question “Messi total goals” continues to trend whenever the Argentine produces another historic performance.

Messi’s career goal tally includes goals scored for:

FC Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain
Inter Miami
Argentina

His latest four-goal game adds another remarkable chapter to a career that has already produced an extraordinary number of club and international goals.

For Inter Miami specifically, his influence has gone well beyond scoring.

Since joining the MLS club in 2023, Messi has become the team’s primary creative and attacking force, contributing goals, assists, chances and set-piece quality.

His latest four-goal display showed that influence once again.

Messi’s Free-Kick Brilliance Returns

One of the most notable aspects of the Montréal match was Messi’s effectiveness from set pieces.

He scored two free kicks, with the second arriving during stoppage time.

Free kicks have been a major part of Messi’s attacking identity throughout his career. His ability to change the direction, speed and trajectory of the ball makes him especially dangerous around the penalty area.

Against Montréal, that quality became decisive.

The first free kick helped Miami regain control of the match, while the second provided the final touch to an extraordinary seven-goal night. MLS also specifically highlighted the two free-kick goals in its match recap.

Casemiro Scores His First Inter Miami Goal

Messi was not the only major name on the scoresheet.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring in the 20th minute, registering his first MLS goal for Inter Miami.

His contribution helped establish the platform for what eventually became a record-breaking night for the club.

After the match, Casemiro praised the impact of having Messi on the team.

“That’s what it means to have Messi on the team.”

Casemiro also emphasized the importance of enjoying Messi’s performances because of the extraordinary level he continues to maintain.

His comments were reported by ESPN after the match.

Luis Suárez and Alexander Shaw Also Get on the Scoresheet

Inter Miami’s attack was not dependent solely on Messi.

Luis Suárez scored in the 80th minute, adding another goal to the team’s dominant second-half performance.

Eighteen-year-old Alexander Shaw then scored in the 89th minute, further extending Miami’s lead.

The combination of Messi, Suárez and Miami’s supporting cast created a relentless attacking performance that Montréal struggled to contain.

The official MLS match data confirms the three additional Miami scorers alongside Messi.

What Did Inter Miami Coach Guillermo Hoyos Say About Messi?

Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos watched the game from the stands after being suspended for violating MLS’ late-kickoff policy.

Despite not being on the touchline, Hoyos praised Messi’s extraordinary performance.

He described Messi’s football as something that left him struggling for words.

“There are no words.”

Hoyos also said Messi was not an ordinary footballer and highlighted the player’s continued development despite his age. His comments were reported by ESPN and MLS after the match.

The match also came during a transition period for Inter Miami’s coaching staff, with Cristian “Kily” González set to take over after his work-permit process is completed.

Messi’s Four-Goal Game Comes After a Long Wait

The performance was particularly significant because Messi had not scored four goals in a match since February 2020.

His previous four-goal game came while playing for Barcelona against Eibar in LaLiga.

That means his latest performance represents his first four-goal match in more than six years and his first such performance since arriving in Major League Soccer.

For Inter Miami supporters, the achievement is even more significant because it represents the first time Messi has scored four goals in a match for the club.

Inter Miami’s Biggest Win Yet

The 7-1 result was not merely another three points.

It became Inter Miami’s highest-scoring game in club history, according to ESPN and MLS.

The performance also provided an important confidence boost after a difficult stretch.

Miami’s attack had the ideal combination of:

Early pressure
Midfield contribution
Messi’s set-piece quality
Suárez’s finishing
Young-player involvement
Efficient attacking transitions

The result demonstrated why Inter Miami remain one of the most closely watched teams in MLS.

Messi’s Impact on the MLS Golden Boot Race

The four-goal performance dramatically changed the MLS scoring picture.

Before the match, Messi was chasing FC Dallas’ Petar Musa.

After scoring four times, Messi moved into the lead with 18 goals.

MLS confirmed that Messi now leads the Golden Boot race by two goals.

With the regular season continuing, the battle for the Golden Boot could become another major storyline surrounding Messi’s 2026 campaign.

The Argentine is also competing for individual recognition beyond the scoring title.

Could Messi Win Another MLS MVP Award?

Messi’s latest performance will inevitably strengthen his case for another Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.

He has already won the honour twice.

The combination of goals, assists, match-winning performances and overall influence makes him one of the leading candidates again.

MLS noted that the four-goal performance could strengthen his MVP case as Miami continues its push toward the postseason.

At 39, Messi continuing to perform at this level is arguably one of the most remarkable elements of the 2026 MLS season.

What Does the 7-1 Win Mean for Inter Miami?

The victory gives Miami a major boost at an important stage of the season.

The club remains behind Nashville SC in the Eastern Conference, but the emphatic victory demonstrates that Miami still possesses the attacking quality necessary to challenge for major honours.

The immediate challenge will be consistency.

One dominant performance cannot erase an inconsistent run, but it can change momentum.

With Messi producing four goals and an assist, Miami has shown exactly what its ceiling can look like when its attacking stars are fully synchronized.

Inter Miami vs Montréal: Key Takeaways

Messi scored four goals

The Argentine scored in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd and 90+6th minutes.

Messi also provided an assist

His contribution helped Luis Suárez score during Miami’s second-half surge.

Miami won 7-1

It was the biggest scoring performance in Inter Miami’s history.

Messi leads the MLS scoring race

His four goals took him to 18 league goals for the season.

Casemiro scored his first Miami goal

The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

Messi scored two free kicks

The first came in the 40th minute, while the second arrived during stoppage time.

The win ended Miami’s five-game winless run

It was the club’s first MLS victory since July 25.

FAQs

How many goals did Messi score against Montréal?

Lionel Messi scored four goals for Inter Miami against CF Montréal on August 29, 2026.

Did Messi provide an assist?

Yes. Messi also recorded one assist, making it a five-goal-contribution performance.

What was the Inter Miami vs Montréal score?

Inter Miami defeated CF Montréal 7-1.

How many goals does Messi have in MLS in 2026?

Following the Montréal match, Messi has 18 MLS goals and 10 assists in the 2026 regular season.

When was Messi’s previous four-goal game?

His previous four-goal performance came in February 2020 for Barcelona against Eibar.

Is this Messi’s first four-goal game for Inter Miami?

Yes. This was his first four-goal performance for Inter Miami.

Did Messi score from free kicks?

Yes. Messi scored two free-kick goals during the match.

Bottom Line

Lionel Messi has done it again.

The Argentine superstar scored four goals and added an assist as Inter Miami demolished CF Montréal 7-1, producing the biggest scoring performance in the club’s history.

More importantly, the result arrived at exactly the right time for Miami. After a five-match winless run, the club responded with an attacking performance that reminded MLS why Messi remains its biggest individual difference-maker.

His four goals also took him to 18 league goals and 10 assists, moving him to the top of the MLS Golden Boot race and strengthening his case in the MVP conversation.

At 39, Messi continues to produce performances that would be extraordinary for a player half his age.

And on a night when Inter Miami needed a response, Messi provided one in the most emphatic way possible — four goals, one assist and a record 7-1 victory.