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October 19, 2024
Lionel Messi’s dazzling performance helped Inter Miami secure the greatest Major League Soccer regular season ever. Messi netted three goals and provided an assist in the second half alone, while Luis Suárez added two first-half goals in a commanding 6-2 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday night. The victory lifted Inter Miami to a record-breaking 74 points, surpassing the previous mark of 73 set by New England in 2021.
This was Messi’s first hat-trick for Inter Miami, the team he joined midway through the 2023 season, marking a significant milestone for both the player and MLS. Miami finished with a 22-4-8 record, boasting a .765 winning percentage, which also set a new league record. Before this, four teams, including DC United in 1998 and LAFC in 2019, held the top winning percentage at .750.
In addition to breaking the points and winning percentage records, Inter Miami became just the eighth MLS team to complete the regular season with only four losses. Messi, who played just 35 minutes on Saturday, concluded the season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches, further cementing his impact on the league.
Luis Suárez reached 20 goals in his debut MLS season, scoring twice in three minutes to help Inter Miami erase an early 2-0 deficit against the New England Revolution. Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero had given New England the early advantage. Still, after Suárez’s quick brace leveled the score by halftime, the rest of the game was all Miami.
Benja Cremaschi scored the goal in the 58th minute, assisted by Messi just seconds after the Argentine superstar subbed into the match. Despite having already secured the Supporters’ Shield and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, Inter Miami was chasing history, aiming for the MLS points record.
Messi, who missed several games in 2024 due to national team commitments and an ankle injury sustained during Argentina’s Copa América campaign, provided a brief scare when he was fouled in the 74th minute and clutched his ankle. However, the injury proved minor, and Messi scored twice within minutes, turning a 3-2 lead into a comfortable 5-2 advantage.
In the 89th minute, Suárez set up Messi for a simple finish, completing Messi’s first hat-trick for Inter Miami. The match ended 6-2, and Miami secured the MLS points record with 74. The celebrations included a stage on the field, pink confetti, and a recognition of their Supporters’ Shield win.
Next, Inter Miami hosts its first-ever home playoff match, kicking off the best-of-three first-round series on Friday night.
Given Messi’s immense global popularity and the tournament already had some games scheduled in South Florida, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Saturday night that Inter Miami would participate.
Every four years, 32 teams from Fifa’s six soccer confederations compete in the event. The tournament’s first match is on June 15, 2025, at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium. Inter Miami will play.
“I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new Fifa Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States,” Infantino said in an on-field ceremony after Inter Miami broke Major League Soccer’s mark for most points in a regular season.
During an on-field ceremony following Inter Miami’s record-breaking regular season in Major League Soccer, FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed the upcoming Club World Cup. The tournament will run until July 13, with the final set to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, the venue for the 2026 World Cup final. Despite its high profile, the tournament has yet to secure major US sponsors or a media rights deal.
In addition to New Jersey, other US cities hosting matches include Atlanta, Cincinnati, Nashville, Charlotte, Orlando, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, and Seattle.
Twelve European teams have already qualified, including Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, Real Madrid, and Salzburg. South American qualifiers include Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras, and River Plate, while North America will be represented by Leon, Monterrey, Pachuca, and the Seattle Sounders. From Africa, Al Ahly, Esperance, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad will participate, with Al-Hilal, Al Ain, Ulsan, and Urawa representing Asia. Auckland City will compete from Oceania.
Inter Miami became the 31st team to qualify for the tournament. The final team will be decided at the Copa Libertadores final in Buenos Aires on November 30. The tournament draw will take place in December.
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