Lionel Messi equals incredible Carlos Vela MLS record after hat-trick heroics for Inter Miami in 6-2 rout of the New England Revolution

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has had to nurse his way back from two injuries during the 2024 campaign, forcing him to sit out several matches. He has still been able to post 20 goals and 16 assists in MLS – with a combination of 36 goal contributions placing him fifth on single season charts.

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Messi’s efforts helped Inter Miami to claim the Supporters’ Shield, as they set a new record for most points in a regular season campaign, and now has his sights set on ultimate MLS Cup glory. He heads into the play-offs having netted an 11-minute hat-trick last time out against the New England Revolution.

Those exploits earned Messi another Player of the Matchday nod, having previously earned similar recognition on matchdays nine, 11, 12, 32 and 36. He joins LAFC’s ex-Arsenal striker Carlos Vela (2019) and former Inter Miami assistant coach Jason Kreis (1999) as the only men to have earned six Player of the Matchday awards in a single season.

Messi has also made MLS history alongside fellow former Barcelona star Luis Suarez. The veteran Uruguayan frontman plundered 20 goals in the 2024 campaign, making Inter Miami the first team to have two players on their books that reached that mark in a single regular season.

Messi’s hat-trick against the Revs has seen him become Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer – with 33 efforts recorded through just 36 appearances – and he is the first man to top said charts for three different teams (Barcelona and Argentina being the others). The Herons will get their MLS Cup quest underway when facing either CF Montreal or Atlanta United on Friday.