RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Major League Soccer
Inter Miami 7 - 1 Montréal FT
Lionel Messi scored his 18th MLS goal of the season [Getty Images]
Lionel Messi scored four goals as Inter Miami thrashed Montreal 7-1 in Major League Soccer to end their run of bad form.
Miami had won just once in seven games across all competitions since Messi came back from the World Cup earlier this month, but returned to winning ways thanks to a vintage performance from the 39-year-old.
Argentina captain Messi put Miami 2-1 up with a deflected free-kick prior to half-time, before taking control of the match in the second half.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner added his second following a weaving run, secured his hat-trick with a dink over the onrushing goalkeeper, before adding a fourth in added time with another trademark free-kick.
Messi also assisted Luis Suarez's strike, with Miami's scoring rounded off by goals from Casemiro and Alexander Shaw.
It was the first time Messi had scored four goals in an MLS match and the ninth occasion he has hit four or more in a game during his illustrious career.
He now has 18 MLS goals for the season, taking him past FC Dallas' Petar Musa as the league's top scorer.
Defending MLS Cup champions Miami remain second in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind Nashville FC.
Messi's performance left Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos struggling for a description.
"There are no words to describe such footballing beauty," Hoyos said.
"So much is going on that words simply fall short.
"He is constantly looking for that goal, that play, that pass; I don't think he's an ordinary footballer. Analysing him, both as a player and as a person, goes so deep that you run out of words."
Earlier this month, Messi said he was unsure how much longer he would continue playing football following the death of his father Jorge.
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