Lionel Messi scored a stunning 11-minute hat trick during their 6-2 win over New England Revolution to help Inter Miami break the MLS record for the most points in a single season.
It’s been a week of celebration for Messi; the 37-year-old scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia and received Marca’s GOAT award.
“I am still hungry for titles even though I am a bit older, and my family keeps growing,” Messi said at the ceremony. “I feel their support, so I am unstoppable.
“I love playing football and everything it gives me. I have had really bad times with Argentina before achieving what we have done by today but, I think it helped us a lot to become what we are today.”
The official champions of MLS are determined by the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin next week and conclude with the final on December 7. Miami are the favourites to win the playoffs, and world soccer governing body FIFA is looking forward to see Messi play at the Club World Cup to be hosted by the US.
The participation of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is a much-needed boost to the profile of the new-look tournament, which FIFA hope will capture the imagination of the global television audience as well as fans in the United States before the World Cup in 2026.