Lionel Messi continues to add historic numbers to his career. The world champion delivered a magical MLS performance against Montreal, scoring four goals, adding an assist, reaching 927 professional goals and moving into the all-time Top 3 for free-kick goals during Inter Miami's 7-1 victory.
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Messi reaches 927 career goals after historic night: Four goals and another milestone
Lionel Messi continues to add historic numbers to his career. The world champion delivered a magical MLS performance against Montreal, scoring four goals, adding an assist, reaching 927 professional goals and moving into the all-time Top 3 for free-kick goals during Inter Miami's 7-1 victory.
The Argentine's performance also had an immediate impact on the MLS scoring race. His four goals took his season tally to 18, moving him into first place among the league's leading scorers.
His total for Inter Miami has now reached 98 goals.
How many career goals does Lionel Messi have?
Following his four-goal performance against Montreal, Messi has now scored 927 professional goals.
That leaves the Argentine 73 goals away from reaching 1,000, a milestone that is becoming one of the major numbers to follow in the latter stages of his career.
But his overall scoring total was not the only historic number he changed in Miami.
Messi moves into all-time Top 3 for free-kick goals
Two of Messi's four goals came directly from free kicks.
His first arrived in the 39th minute to restore Inter Miami's lead. With the match virtually decided, Messi stepped up for another free kick from the edge of the box and placed his effort inside the post to complete his four-goal night.
Those two strikes took his career free-kick tally to 74, moving him into the all-time Top 3.
The ranking now stands:
- Marcelinho Carioca — 78
- Jair Rosa Pinto — 74
- Lionel Messi — 74
Messi is therefore just four free-kick goals away from Marcelinho Carioca's total.
How Messi scored four against Montreal
Casemiro opened the scoring for Inter Miami with a header from a corner.
Fabian Herbers responded with Montreal's equalizer before the game began to swing decisively in Miami's favor.
Messi restored the lead with his first free kick in the 39th minute.
After halftime, the Argentine produced a brilliant run through the penalty area before finishing another opportunity. He then turned provider, setting up Luis Suárez for the 4-1 goal.
Messi completed his hat trick with a delicate chip following a Montreal mistake while attempting to play out from the back.
Eighteen-year-old Alexander Shaw also joined the scoring with a strike from outside the box.
Messi then completed his four-goal performance with his second direct free kick of the night.
Messi closes in on 100 Inter Miami goals
Another milestone is now within the Argentine's reach.
Messi has scored 98 goals for Inter Miami, leaving him only two away from reaching 100 for the MLS club.
The emphatic victory came as Inter Miami waits for Cristian 'Kily' González, who is awaiting his visa before officially taking charge as coach.
Guillermo Hoyos remained on the bench for the 7-1 victory.
For Montreal, Chilean newcomer Alexis Sánchez played the final 30 minutes.
Messi ended the night with three numbers that underline the scale of his performance: 927 professional goals, 98 for Inter Miami and 74 from free kicks.
