Inter Miami crushed Montreal 7-1 at home in MLS regular-season play, the club's biggest-ever win, which also marked the debut of new Argentine head coach Kili Gonzalez.
The 39-year-old Lionel Messi was the absolute hero of the match, recording his eighth career poker and first with an American club. He found the net in the 40th, 52nd, 83rd and 90+6th minutes, with two of those goals coming directly from free kicks.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring in the 20th minute with his first goal for Inter Miami, while Fabian Herbers netted the visitors' only goal in the 37th. Luis Suarez (80') and Alexander Shaw (89') also got on the scoresheet for the hosts, and Messi also contributed an assist.
With this victory, Messi moved to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 18 goals, ahead of Dallas striker Petar Musa (16).
Messi's total of free-kick goals reached 74, the second-highest in history, with Brazilian Marcelinho Carioca holding the absolute record with 78.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's career goal tally now stands at 927, while Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has 978.
After 22 matches, Inter Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, snapping a four-game winless streak, while Montreal remain 14th with 21 points, second from bottom.
This emphatic win not only showcased the team's attacking potential but also proved that Messi continues to exceed expectations at the Florida club. The only question is how many more records the Argentine superstar will break before the season ends.
Messi's performance is particularly noteworthy as it came in the new coach's very first game; it is clear that the Argentine legend not only decides matches single-handedly but also orchestrates the team's attacking play, a dream for any manager.
The club's biggest-ever victory, achieved without one of their most expensive signings, the goalkeeper, once again demonstrated the importance of having a central striker who can not only score goals but also influence the flow of the game at any moment, regardless of the opposition's resistance. Now that the team has ended their winless run, the most intriguing question is how Suarez and Messi will continue to combine, and whether this crushing result will serve as a launching pad for more serious ambitions.
