Messi became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four consecutive league matches on Wednesday, July 9, when he scored two goals to propel Inter Miami 2-1 on the road against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Messi scored his brace in an 11-minute span, pouncing on a pour clearance by a defender in the 27th minute, then finishing a pass from longtime teammate Sergio Busquets with another left strike in the 38th minute.
Carles Gil scored in the 80th minute for New England, creating an intense finish in the final minutes. Messi had just two attempts late in the second half, but both were blocked by defenders.
“The first 27 minutes went as planned,” second-year Revolution coach Caleb Porter said. “We’re talking about the best players in the world, and they’ll punish you.”
Two of the four matches in Messi’s historic streak were before Inter Miami’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup: Messi scored twice at home against CF Montreal on May 28, twice at home against the Columbus Crew on May 31 before the tournament.
Two others have come after the Club World Cup, with Messi scoring twice on the road in Montreal on July 5 before the New England match.
Messi played the entirety of the last two matches since the Club World Cup, in a stretch of seven matches Inter Miami will play until the end of July. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano knows he must find some rest for the 38-year-old Argentine World Cup champion.
“We wanted to give them some rest, maybe in this game. But after New England scored the goal, we were under pressure. So, we prefer to keep him on the pitch,” Mascherano said after the win. “It’s not the best situation for us, because we know that maybe in the next games, we have to find the moment to give him some rest.”
Inter Miami has 35 points in the Eastern Conference, moving up to fifth place in the standings behind FC Cincinnati (42), Nashville (41), Philadelphia (40) and Columbus (38).
Inter Miami’s next match is at home against Nashville on Saturday, July 12. They will also face FC Cincinnati twice this month (July 16 and July 26).
Messi has 14 goals in MLS games and 20 across all competitions in 2025. He is Inter Miami’s all-time leader with 54 goals since joining the club in July 2023.
New England is the only club Messi has a hat trick against in his MLS career.
Messi scored three goals at home in the MLS season finale on Oct. 19, 2024, to help Inter Miami secure the Supporters’ Shield and a league-record 74 points during the 2024 season. He has 59 career hat tricks for club in country in his career.
Messi has eight goals in three matches against New England, with Porter having a front-row seat for all of them.
“Messi, it’s been said a million times, he’s the best ever. My opinion, it’s not even close,” Porter said. “I’ve seen it firsthand now three games in this league, and it’s unbelievable that he continues to show up every single game, game after game, three days in between, again and again and again. That’s why he’s the best ever. That’s why.”
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the New England vs. Inter Miami match:
Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution highlights
Inter Miami 2, New England 1: Carles Gil scores goal to narrow lead
Carles Gil scored in the 80th minute for New England, setting up an exciting finish against Messi and Inter Miami.
Inter Miami 2, New England 0: Messi scores second goal (38’)
Two goals in 11 minutes for Lionel Messi, who finished a stellar pass from Sergio Busquets with a stellar goal.
Messi has four braces (scored twice) in each of his last four MLS games.
Inter Miami 1, New England 0: Lionel Messi scores goal (27′)
Lionel Messi pounced on a poor clearance by New England, finding the back of the net with a goal in the 27th minute.
How to watch New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami match live stream?
The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
When is the New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is in the Inter Miami announces its starting lineup.
“In Leo’s case, if Leo is fine and doesn’t have any problems, obviously my idea is always to let him play, because we know that if there’s anyone who knows how to manage himself on the pitch and knows his body, it’s him,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said a day before the New England match.
New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami betting odds
Here are the betting odds, according to BETMGM.
New England Revolution: +185
Draw: +280
Inter Miami: +115
Over/under: 3.5 goals
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule in July
July 9: New England vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
July 12: Inter Miami vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m. ET
July 16: FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
July 19: New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
July 26: Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET
July 30: Inter Miami vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
Will Messi leave MLS? Breaking down rumors surrounding soccer’s GOAT
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are in continued negotiations to keep the Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in Miami, according to a person familiar with the talks.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of contract negotiations.