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Messi’s Hat Trick Powers Inter Miami to MLS Record
After Inter Miami defeated the New England Revolution 6-2 on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Lionel Messi scored an incredible 11-minute hat trick to help the team shatter the Major League Soccer record for most points in a single season.
After 34 games and 22 wins, 4 losses, and 8 ties — a point total of 74 points — the Revolution saw their 2021 mark of 73 points fall just short. Inter Miami rallied from two goals down after 34 minutes as Luis Suárez claimed twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chance of reaching the points record.
It was captain Messi, who fittingly saw Inter Miami’s name inscribed in the club’s league history. He helped set up Benjamin Cremaschi for Miami’s first lead in the 58th minute, just one minute after he came on. Then, in the 78th minute, the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner emerged, stealing the show with his first Miami hat trick and reaching 33 as the club’s all-time scorer.
It also made Miami the first team in MLS history to have more than one player with at least 20 goals in a season. Messi and Suárez each have 20 goals, so they are second to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke (23) in the Golden Boot race. But Messi is in the lead for the league in total goals and assists combined, with 36 in only 19 games.
Beckham Celebrates Inter Miami’s Historic Win
“The players and our captain have guided us through challenging times,” stated David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami. “But we’re celebrating tonight. We get ready for Friday and the playoffs tomorrow.
“This was always about making history for Miami, as my friend and collaborator Jorge Mas stated. In this stadium, it was always about family, la familia, and our people. “It’s about you guys tonight because you helped us through the good times and the bad.”
“Our captain has led us, the players have led us in times where it was difficult,” said David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami. “But we’re celebrating tonight. We get ready for Friday and the playoffs tomorrow.
“This was always about making history for Miami, as my friend and partner Jorge Mas said. In this stadium, it was always about family, la familia, and our people. You people are the reason it’s about you tonight because you helped us through the good times and the bad.“
Messi’s Injury Setback Leads to Resurgence
After suffering an ankle ligament injury at the Copa América final on July 14, Messi didn’t play again until last month. However, after his treble in Argentina’s World Cup qualification victory against Bolivia on Tuesday, he now has hat tricks in back-to-back games.
“After his big injury at the Copa América, we had to be very cautious in his rehab and insertion into the team,” Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino told reporters. “And it appears that both the Argentine team and us here were extremely cautious about that problem, and we ended up nurturing each other.”
“I believe the game against Columbus was really crucial, particularly the second half, with Leo being heavily engaged in what transpired. And, of course, we took inspiration from his most recent play against Bolivia, when he was a lot looser and more in rhythm. And certainly tonight, I believe the first ball he touches is the assist to Jordi Alba [for Miami’s third goal], so we have the impression that we are in an excellent scenario.”
Inter Miami Claims Supporters’ Shield, Sets Up for 2025 Club World Cup
Miami was celebrating. The final whistle may have come but the prize of one of the league’s most coveted awards was, for the first time, claimed by them, the Supporters’ Shield for best regular-season record in MLS, also awarded. Miami earned its first piece of MLS silverware since it became an expansion club in 2020, winning the trophy.
Earlier this summer, Messi had arrived at Inter Miami, and its squad had already lifted the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup trophy.
Saturday’s win sets up Miami for the 2025 Club World Cup and sees the opening game of the expanded 32-team tournament staged on Hard Rock Stadium, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
In the meantime, Inter Miami now will have a home-field advantage in the MLS playoffs. The team opens the postseason Friday against the winner of Tuesday’s Eastern Conference wild-card match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.
Beckham stated, “Let’s prepare for the playoffs.”
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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