Messi masterclass inspires Miami to stunning 7-1 victory

Lionel Messi produced another extraordinary display of attacking brilliance, scoring four goals and setting up another as Inter Miami ended a five-match winless run with a commanding 7-1 victory over CF Montreal.

The 39-year-old Argentine delivered a performance that left even Miami's interim coach Guillermo Hoyos struggling to find the words to describe his influence.

Messi restored Miami's lead shortly before half-time before striking again in the 52nd minute. He completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute and saved his most spectacular moment for stoppage time, curling a free-kick into the net to complete a remarkable four-goal haul.

The performance was the first time Messi had scored four goals in a single Major League Soccer match during his career.

His contribution also moved him to the top of the MLS scoring charts, with 18 goals for the season.

"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."

Messi's outstanding performance came at an important moment for Miami, who had struggled for consistency across all competitions before finally returning to winning ways.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who joined Miami in July after leaving Manchester United, said having Messi in the side was something the team needed to appreciate.

"That's what it means to have Messi on the team," Casemiro told Apple TV.

"We have to enjoy these moments because he is a person, a player that makes history."

The pairing of Casemiro and Messi is particularly notable given their history as rivals. Casemiro spent years representing Real Madrid, while Messi was the attacking star of Barcelona during one of football's most intense rivalries.

Now teammates in Miami, Casemiro believes Messi remains capable of producing moments that separate him from the rest.

"We saw today that we have to enjoy it, keep supporting and keep competing with him because he continues to be the best," he said.

"He proved it in the World Cup. We have to enjoy it because, with him, we are so much stronger."

The latest masterclass further underlined Messi's extraordinary longevity and influence, with the World Cup-winning forward continuing to produce decisive performances well into his late 30s.

For Miami, the emphatic victory provided a much-needed response after a difficult run of results - and a reminder of the difference their legendary captain can make when he is at his best.