Lionel Messi scores four as Miami ends winless run

Lionel Messi delivered a historic performance for Inter Miami on Saturday, August 30, 2026. The Argentine superstar scored four goals and provided an assist in a 7-1 demolition of CF Montreal, single-handedly ending his team's five-game winless run across all competitions.

Messi's four-goal haul lifts Miami from a slump

Messi broke the game open just before halftime and added three more in the second half, capping the night with a stoppage-time free kick. His 18 goals now lead the Major League Soccer scoring charts this season. Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos struggled for words after the match. "There are no words to describe such footballing beauty," said Hoyos. "He is constantly looking for that goal, that play, that pass; I don't think he's an ordinary footballer." Teammate Casemiro, formerly of Real Madrid, told Apple TV that having Messi on the team means enjoying a player who makes history every time he steps on the field.

Is Messi nearing the end of his career?

Earlier in August, Messi posted a heartfelt tribute to his late father on Instagram that included a hint about his football future. "You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn't you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together?" he wrote. In a separate comment, the 39-year-old added, "I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer." This sparked global speculation about his retirement plans. Messi's current contract with Inter Miami runs until December 2028, but his recent words suggest he may not see it out.

How does this performance rank in Messi's career?

Scoring four goals in a match is not new for Messi. According to a review of his career, he has now achieved this feat, known as a 'poker,' nine times. His first four-goal game came for Barcelona against Arsenal in the Champions League on April 6, 2010. He even scored five in one match against Bayer Leverkusen on March 7, 2012. The performance against Montreal, however, marks the first time he has scored four in an MLS game. It reinforces his enduring quality at an age when most players have long since retired.

What do legends say about Messi's greatness?

The debate about individual brilliance versus team trophies was recently addressed by Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. He argued that the Ballon d'Or should honor players whose talent leaves a permanent mark, not just those who win the biggest titles. "For me, the Ballon d'Or has to go to one of those players we will miss for eternity when they stop playing," Mourinho said. He named Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, and Zinedine Zidane as examples. Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who faced Messi in the 2014 World Cup final, called him "the best player I've ever played against by far" in a column for Kicker magazine.

• Lionel Messi scored four goals and made one assist in Inter Miami's 7-1 win over CF Montreal on August 30, 2026.
• He now leads MLS with 18 goals this season, ending his team's five-game winless streak.
• Messi hinted at possible retirement in an Instagram post about his father earlier in August, stating he may not play much longer.
• This was the ninth 'poker' (4+ goals) of his career, his first coming for Barcelona against Arsenal in 2010.

Miami will look to build on this momentum in their next match.