Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi holds the MARCA America Award during a ceremony at Chase Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP)

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have put together the best regular season in Major League Soccer history.

Messi had three goals and an assist in the second half alone, Luis Suárez had a pair of first-half goals and Inter Miami beat the New England Revolution 6-2 on Saturday night, finishing the season with an MLS-record 74 points – one more than the Revolution had in 2021.

It was Messi’s first hat trick for Inter Miami, the team the Argentine superstar joined midway through the 2023 season in a huge victory for Major League Soccer.

At 22-4-8 in league play, Inter Miami finished the season with a .765 winning percentage for another MLS record. There were four teams – DC United (24-8) and the LA Galaxy (24-8) in 1998, LAFC (21-4-9) in 2019 and New England (22-5-7) in 2021 – that finished an MLS season with a .750 winning percentage, which was the top spot until Saturday night.

Now, the top spot is Inter Miami’s by any measure, both in terms of points and best won-lost-tied mark. Inter Miami also became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses, tying another record.

Messi – who played about 35 minutes and still scored three times Saturday – finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches.

Suárez got to 20 goals in his first MLS season, his strikes – coming about three minutes apart – helping Inter Miami erase an early 2-0 deficit. Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero had the goals for New England.

The rest of the match was all Miami. The team had a stage pulled onto the field after the match to recognize the Supporters’ Shield win, which the team claimed on the road earlier this month, and fired pink confetti into the air when time expired.

Suárez’s brace pulled the hosts into a tie by halftime and Benja Cremaschi scored the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Messi had an assist on Cremaschi’s goal, one that came just seconds after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner subbed into the match.

There had been some question about whether Messi would play at all, especially since Inter Miami had already wrapped up the Supporters’ Shield and No. 1 seed in the MLS Cup playoffs. All that was at stake for Inter Miami on Saturday was the record.

And there was a scare in the 74th minute when Messi was fouled, yelled in pain and grabbed at his right ankle as he was on the ground. He’s missed 15 of Inter Miami’s MLS matches in 2024, either because of commitments to Argentina’s national team or the two-month absence that he needed to recover from a badly injured ankle – an injury that happened during his nation’s run to the Copa América title in July.

It was just a scare.

Messi scored about two minutes apart in the second half, turning a 3-2 lead into a 5-2 rout and it was only a matter of time before the record would belong to Inter Miami. And the capper came in the 89th minute, Suárez flipping the ball to Messi for an easy score that finished off the hat trick.

Next up for Inter Miami: Game 1 of a best-of-three first-round series, at home Friday night. It will be the first home playoff match in club history.

Messi and Inter Miami's Impact

The addition of Messi has not only been a boon for Inter Miami, but has also provided a significant boost for Major League Soccer. Messi's presence has brought increased interest and viewership to the league, and his impact on the field has been undeniable.

Inter Miami's success this season is a testament to Messi's brilliance and the strength of the team's overall roster. The club's ability to attract top-tier players like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba has helped create a formidable squad that has dominated the league in 2024.

The Future of Inter Miami

With Messi leading the way, Inter Miami is poised for continued success in the years to come. The club's recent acquisition of experienced players and the development of young talents create a solid foundation for future triumphs.

Inter Miami's success on the field has been accompanied by a surge in popularity and recognition both within and outside the United States. The team's passionate fan base and the growing interest in MLS are likely to only increase as Inter Miami continues to achieve success with Messi at the helm.

A Legacy in the Making

Messi’s arrival in MLS has been a game changer for the league, attracting new fans and generating a buzz that has been long overdue. His impact on Inter Miami has been significant, and his legacy in the league is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Messi has proven that even at 37, he can still be a dominant force in the sport, and his time with Inter Miami has been a testament to his continued excellence. As Inter Miami prepares for the playoffs, Messi's experience and leadership will be crucial in their pursuit of a championship.

The team’s recent victory over the New England Revolution, coupled with the announcement that Inter Miami will host the opening game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, marks the start of a new chapter for the club. With Messi at the helm, Inter Miami is a force to be reckoned with, and the future looks bright for the team.