Lionel Messi named MLS Player of the Matchday after hat-trick heroics for Inter Miami on Decision Day

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi became the first player in MLS history to come off the bench to score a hat-trick and record an assist. As a just reward, he has now been named MLS Player of the Matchday after Inter Miami's 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution in their regular season finale.

It is his sixth time being handed the award this season, Messi tied LAFC's Carlos Vela (2019) and Jason Kreis (Dallas Burn, 1999) as the only players to be named POTMD six times in one season. Both Kreis and Vela were named MVP in their respective campaigns.

Luis Suarez recorded a brace, too, and as a result, the duo both ended the regular season with 20 goals a-piece, with Miami becoming the first MLS team to ever have two 20-goal scorers.

Messi has led Miami to the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Playoffs and the Eastern Conference as a result of his campaign. The Argentine bagged 20 goals and recorded 16 assists 19 appearances this season, and as a result, is a frontrunner for 2024 MLS MVP, too.

Against the Revolution, Messi scored in the 78th, 81st and 89th minute, while assisting in the 58th to Benjamin Cremaschi. His performance made MLS history individually, but for the Herons, he helped them make league history as a team, being named the new all-time leaders for the regular season points record with 74 in one single campaign.

Following their victory over the Revolution, Inter Miami celebrated their 2024 Supporters' Shield with their home fans on the pitch at Chase Stadium. During the celebrations, FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave a speech, too, informing the world that the Herons would be CONCACAF's final representative for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

In addition, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will host the opening match of the tournament.

The Herons' postseason journey begins Friday evening when they host the winner of the Eastern Conference Wildcard match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United. Dates, Times and locations of the entire Round One Best-of-3 series can be found here.