Messi scores hat trick off the bench as Inter Miami sets MLS points record vs. New England

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The best regular season in Major League Soccer history belongs to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

Messi scored his first hat trick in a Inter Miami jersey, and his second in a five-day span to lead Inter Miami to a 6-2 win over the New England Revolution to set the MLS record with 74 points in a season.

It was a brilliant performance by Messi, leaving Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham almost dumbfounded on the bench as he witnessed Messi’s brilliance at Chase Stadium.

Messi entered in the 58^th minute and immediately delivered a hockey assist after coming off the bench, as Benjamin Cremaschi scored to help Inter Miami take a 3-2 lead.

Messi scored twice in a three-minute span, in the 78^th and 81^st minutes, to make it 5-2. His third goal came in the 89^th minute for the hat trick.

It was Messi’s first match since he scored three goals with two assists for Argentina in a 6-0 win over Bolivia last Tuesday during a World Cup 2026 qualifying match.

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez also scored twice in a three-minute span (40’ and 43’) in the victory, which sets Inter Miami apart from other teams in MLS history.

Inter Miami’s 74 points tops the previous record of 73 points set by the Revolution in 2021.

The match did not come without some trepidation as New England’s Luca Langoni (2’) and Dylan Borrero (34’) nearly spoiled the occasion with early goals.

Messi and Suarez both finish the MLS season with 20 goals each, trailing only D.C. United’s Christian Benteke for the league lead.

Inter Miami begins the MLS Cup Playoffs next Friday, against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card game set for Tuesday between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

It’s MLS Decision Day, also known as the final day of the 2024 regular season. Two more teams qualified for the MLS Cup Playoff field from the Eastern Conference, while the entire Western Conference will learn its seeding after Saturday’s games.

Here’s what you need to know about today’s Messi game with live updates from USA TODAY Sports:

Lionel Messi hat trick goal: Inter Miami 6, New England 2

Messi scored again, thanks to an assist by Luis Suarez and Leo Campana. It’s the first hat trick of his Inter Miami career, and his second in five days.

Lionel Messi goal: Inter Miami 5, New England 2

Lionel Messi. Again. This score just three minutes after his last score. Messi scored in the 81st minute, and has a brace in Inter Miami's 5-2 advantage over New England Revolution.

Lionel Messi goal: Inter Miami 4, New England 2

The goat is on the board, and Inter Miami’s lead has doubled. Lionel Messi scores in the 78^th minute on an impressive shot outside the box, and into the back of the net. Inter Miami leads 4-2, and likely will set the MLS points record.

Bobby Wood goal disallowed: Inter Miami 3, New England 2

New England’s Bobby Wood scored in the 70^th minute, nearly tying the match with Inter Miami. But Wood’s goal was disallowed after video review. Wood’s kick near the net ricocheted off goalie Drake Callender, hitting his arm.

Benjamin Cremaschi goal: Inter Miami 3, New England 2

Lionel Messi entered in the 58^th minute, and within his first minute he has affected the scoreboard. Messi to Jordi Alba, then Benjamin Cremaschi found the back of the net. Inter Miami leads 3-2 over the Revolution.

Luis Suarez goal: Inter Miami 2, New England 2

Just like that, we have a tied game in Fort Lauderdale. Luis Suarez has a brace, scoring his second goal of the match in the 43^rd minute. That’s two goals in three minutes for Suarez, who has 20 goals this season. He’s three shy of MLS scoring leader Christian Benteke of D.C. United.

Luis Suarez goal: New England 2, Inter Miami 1

Inter Miami is on the board after striker Luis Suarez scored in the 40^th minute. It’s the 19^th goal during the MLS season for Suarez, the club’s leading scorer this season. Suarez scored thanks to an assist by defender David Martinez.

Dylan Borrero goal: New England 2, Inter Miami 0

Messi can’t get off the bench fast enough. Inter Miami trails 2-0 in the first half after New England’s Dylan Borrero scored in the 34^th minute after a weak defensive effort.

Luca Langoni goal: New England 1, Inter Miami 0

Inter Miami trails after New England's Luca Langoni scored a goal in the second minute past goalie Drake Callender.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution live stream?

The Inter Miami match against New England Revolution is available to live stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Messi will play, but it’s likely he will come off the bench in Saturday’s game, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said on Friday.

Inter Miami starting lineup vs. New England Revolution

Here's the starting lineup for Inter Miami, which has Messi on the bench.

Here’s the latest on Messi

Messi has just returned from international duty, where he scored a hat trick with two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 win against Bolivia last Tuesday. Argentina also settled for a 1-1 draw in Venezuela on Oct. 10.

Messi has played in seven total matches, scoring eight goals, since his return on Sept. 14 from a right ankle ligament injury during the Copa America final that sidelined him for two months.

Will Messi play in World Cup 2026?

Messi has not yet committed to playing for reigning champion Argentina in the next World Cup.

“I don't get ahead of myself. I try to enjoy day by day. When the time comes, we'll see,” Messi said about the next World Cup after accepting the MARCA America Award on Thursday.

“I don't like to accelerate time or look ahead. I try to enjoy every day. I hope I can keep playing at this level to feel good and be happy. When I get to do what I love, I am happy. I value that more than reaching the 2026 tournament. I haven't set a goal to reach the World Cup, but more so to live day-to-day and be well.”

Who will Inter Miami face in the MLS Playoffs?

Inter Miami’s first playoff game is Oct. 25, with its opponent still to be determined. It will play the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match on Oct. 22 between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the playoff picture.

No. 8 D.C. United, No. 9 CF Montréal, No. 11 Philadelphia Union and No. 12 Atlanta United are in contention for the final two playoff spots on MLS Decision Day Saturday. No. 10 Toronto has been eliminated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inter Miami vs. New England: Messi hat trick, MLS points record in win