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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Herons claimed 2024 Supporters' Shield</li><li>Readying themselves for MLS Cup bid</li><li>Argentine superstar rewriting history books</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi equals incredible Carlos Vela MLS record after hat-trick heroics for Inter Miami in 6-2 rout of the New England Revolution

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<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has had to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">nurse his way back from two injuries</a> during the 2024 campaign, forcing him to sit out several matches. He has still been able to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-player-league-lionel-messi-ticks-mls-mvp-box-by-far-usmnt-star-julian-gressel-explains-why-inter-miami/bltda27efe95e82b3ee" target="_blank">post 20 goals and 16 assists in MLS</a> – with a combination of 36 goal contributions placing him fifth on single season charts.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi’s efforts helped <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">Inter Miami to claim the Supporters’ Shield</a>, as they set a new record for most points in a regular season campaign, and now has his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-team-ever-mls-cup-or-bust-lionel-messi-inter-miami-argentine-superstar-signed-david-beckham-deliver-ultimate-glory/bltf1dde65891cd00ac" target="_blank">sights set on ultimate MLS Cup glory</a>. He heads into the play-offs having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-ideal-form-inter-miami-perfect-time-herons-argentine-goat-mls-cup-glory/blt34c16edd865b3060" target="_blank">netted an 11-minute hat-trick last time out</a> against the New England Revolution.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Those <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/another-record-unstoppable-lionel-messi-inter-miami-superstar-mls-history-25th-goal-contribution/blt1d9869cb05253b25" target="_blank">exploits earned Messi</a> another Player of the Matchday nod, having previously earned similar recognition on matchdays nine, 11, 12, 32 and 36. He joins LAFC’s ex-Arsenal striker Carlos Vela (2019) and former Inter Miami assistant coach Jason Kreis (1999) as the only men to have earned six Player of the Matchday awards in a single season.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Messi has also made MLS history <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/luis-suarez-extend-last-dance-lionel-messi-mls-new-inter-miami-contract-rubbish-fitness-concerns/bltb7eda8b7449c9611" target="_blank">alongside fellow former Barcelona star Luis Suarez</a>. The veteran Uruguayan frontman plundered 20 goals in the 2024 campaign, making Inter Miami the first team to have two players on their books that reached that mark in a single regular season.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Messi’s hat-trick against the Revs has seen him become Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer – with 33 efforts recorded through just 36 appearances – and he is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-record-cristiano-ronaldo-match-history-books-inter-miami-argentina-superstar/bltb5c543ea14f9fe82" target="_blank">first man to top said charts for three different teams</a> (Barcelona and Argentina being the others). The Herons will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-25000-square-foot-screen-times-square-inter-miami-playoff-game-mls-new-york/blt6b56eb671baa9e47" target="_blank">get their MLS Cup quest underway</a> when facing either CF Montreal or Atlanta United on Friday.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Lionel Messi equals incredible Carlos Vela MLS record after hat-trick heroics for Inter Miami in 6-2 rout of the New England Revolution | Goal.com

Lionel Messi is back in history-making mode at Inter Miami, with the Argentine superstar equalling an impressive MLS record held by Carlos Vela.