Lionel Messi Scores Four in Inter Miami 7-1 Win Over CF Montréal

Lionel Messi recorded his ninth career 'poker' during Inter Miami's 7-1 victory against CF Montréal on August 29, 2026.

Lionel Messi led Inter Miami CF to a 7-1 victory against CF Montréal on Saturday, August 29, 2026, by scoring four goals. The 39-year-old forward achieved this feat for the reigning MLS champions, contributing to a career total that now exceeds 900 goals across his time with Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and his current Florida-based club. Following the match, Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos stated that he lacked qualifiers for such "soccer beauty" and remarked that he does not consider Messi a "normal soccer player."

This latest performance marks the ninth time the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored a "poker"—four goals in a single game—or more. His history of high-scoring matches dates back to April 6, 2010, when he netted four times against Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in a 4-1 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second-leg win. That performance elevated him into the ranks of Barcelona's top 10 all-time goal scorers.

Record-Breaking Performances at Barcelona

Messi waited nearly two years for his second four-goal haul, which occurred on February 19, 2012. In a 5-1 LaLiga victory over Valencia, he celebrated his 200th league appearance for Barcelona by scoring four times. Less than a month later, on March 7, 2012, he surpassed that total by scoring five goals in a 7-1 Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou. The timing of those strikes was recorded at the 25th, 42nd, 49th, 58th, and 84th minutes.

His scoring streak continued on May 5, 2012, during Pep Guardiola's final match as Barcelona coach. Messi scored four goals in a 4-0 win over local rivals Espanyol, reaching the 50-league-goal milestone for the 2011-12 campaign. The following year, on January 27, 2013, he produced another four-goal salvo in a 5-1 win against Osasuna. This match served as the 11th game in a scoring run that eventually reached 19 consecutive matches and included his 200th career LaLiga strike.

Milestone Victories Against Eibar and Estonia

Eibar became a recurring victim of Messi’s scoring prowess. On September 19, 2017, he scored four goals in a 6-1 victory, a match that featured his 300th goal scored at Camp Nou. Commentator Ray Hudson described the performance by stating Messi "holds himself up better than a pole dancer." On February 22, 2020, Messi repeated the feat against the same opponent in a 5-0 win. Following that defeat, Eibar’s official social media account noted they had no choice but to "stand up and applaud" their tormentor.

On June 5, 2022, Messi transitioned his high-scoring output to the international stage during a friendly in Pamplona, Spain. He scored five goals in Argentina’s victory over Estonia, becoming the first male player to record four or more goals in both a single Champions League game and a senior international match. This performance occurred six months before he led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory.

Career Statistics and Longevity

Throughout a career decorated with numerous trophies, Messi has demonstrated a consistent ability to hit major milestones during his highest-scoring games. From his first career poker in 2010 to his four-goal contribution for Inter Miami in 2026, the gap between his first and most recent four-goal game spans 16 years. His 900-plus career goals have been distributed across four different teams and multiple international competitions, cementing his status as a prolific scorer at both the club and national levels.