Lionel Messi scored four goals and added an assist as Inter Miami thrashed CF Montreal 7-1 on Saturday, marking his first-ever four-goal haul in a Major League Soccer match. The result ended a five-game winless run for Miami across all competitions and lifted the 39-year-old to the top of the MLS scoring charts, prompting effusive praise from interim coach Guillermo Hoyos and teammate Casemiro.

Messi restored Miami's lead before half-time, struck again in the 52nd minute, completed his hat-trick in the 83rd, and finished with a stoppage-time free kick, taking his season tally to 18 goals. Elsewhere in the MLS roundup, Dejan Joveljić scored twice on his Seattle Sounders debut in a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire, while Cavan Sullivan became the first 16-year-old in MLS history with goal contributions in four straight matches as Philadelphia Union beat New York Red Bulls 3-1.