ANOTHER brace! Lionel Messi makes more history for Inter Miami | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

WATCH: Lionel Messi sets MLS record with 4th straight brace

Lionel Messi has checked off plenty of milestones during his Inter Miami CF career, and he achieved one of his most impressive yet in the Herons' midweek 2-1 victory at the New England Revolution.

With a first-half brace to get the Herons off and running, Messi is the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight regular-season games.

Making history

The streak started just before Inter Miami began their historic FIFA Club World Cup campaign, with Messi logging braces in wins over CF Montréal and the Columbus Crew.

Upon Miami's return to MLS play, Messi tagged Montréal for another two goals this past Saturday, then wasted no time in dispatching another pair in the first half Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. It gives him a staggering eight goals over those four contests and increases his season total to 14g/7a in just 15 matches.

"I always say Leo is a special player," Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said postgame. "For me, the best player that has played this sport in history.

"So, it's unbelievable because he continues doing things that maybe many, many years ago, we cannot see at this moment. But at the end, he's a special player. We are lucky to have him."

Adding accolades

The new record is the latest in a long list for Messi. Going into Wednesday's match, he'd already broken Inter Miami's all-time goal-contribution mark, which now stands at 58. He also has league-record marks for most assists in a single game (5) and most goal contributions in a single game (6).

In addition to the individual honors, the iconic Argentine was central to a historic team accomplishment in 2024, claiming Landon Donovan MLS MVP honors as the Herons set the league's single-season points record with 74 en route to their first Supporters' Shield title.

Charging up the table

Messi's hot streak has coincided with a scorching run of form for Mascherano's side, who are unbeaten in their last five league matches (4W-0L-1D) and are surging toward a top-four spot on the Eastern Conference table with multiple games in hand on teams above them.

Should Inter Miami's recent form continue, a push toward a second straight Supporters' Shield might just be in store, led by Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba.

"They are playing [together] for many, many years, so when they see each other, they connect and they know what they think or in this kind of play, like the second goal," Mascherano said.

"[Busquets] understands when and where Leo wants the ball. So, it's fantastic for us because today was a difficult day for us because we know that New England needed to win, and a result was going to be difficult on the pitch."

HIGHLIGHTS: New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami CF | July 9, 2025