Inter Miami hammered CF Montreal 7-1 at Nu Stadium on Saturday, with Lionel Messi taking centre stage.
Messi plundered four goals as Miami, who will soon be under new management, snapped a four-game winless streak in MLS.
The victory marked the first time Miami have scored seven goals in a league game.
Messi and Casemiro each hit the post as Miami made a rapid start, and the hosts went ahead in the 20th minute.
Telasco Segovia whipped in a corner, and Casemiro was on hand to head home his first MLS goal.
Fabian Herbers' first goal of the season restored parity in the 37th minute, but Miami swiftly regained control through Messi.
He restored Miami's lead through a deflected free-kick before half-time, and then capped a stunning run with a fine finish after the break.
Messi turned provider for Luis Suarez to make it 4-1 and then completed his hat-trick with a dinked finish in the 83rd minute.
Teenager Alexander Shaw got in on the act, with Messi capping things off with a glorious free-kick in stoppage time.
Magical Messi leads Golden Boot race
This stunning showing from Messi means he now has 18 goals and 10 assists in MLS this season.
That has propelled him past FC Dallas' Petar Musa (16 goals, two assists) in the race for the league's Golden Boot.
Unsurprisingly, Messi led the way for shots (eight), shots on target (five), touches in the opposition's box (seven) and chances created (six).
Messi has now scored at least twice in each of his last three meetings with Montreal, who have lost five straight encounters with Miami.
This equals Miami's longest regular-season winning run against a single opponent, after a five-match streak against Toronto FC across 2021 and 2022.
Miami are awaiting the arrival of their new coach, Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez, but interim Guillermo Hoyos can reflect on a dominant display as the Herons got back on track in style.
Fatdeilmsu
60
THE ONLY GREATEST PLAYER ALIVE 💪😎
Dihaciknyz
28
What of if Messi get to 1k goals before Cristiano? Don't forget, Cristiano was leading in Golden shoe and Balloondor before Cristiano bottled it and Messi overtake him.
legend300
27
Messi keeps braking records
kudabcikpy
23
4 goals including 2 free kicks and 1 assist?? repeating this type of performance over and over is damn not normal for an ordinary player
SHIKUMAXIXINRS3
22
The kind of goals we want to see, not the stolen ones from teammates and someone was shamelessly celebrating like he scored a banger...
Fikcklosty
18
2 free kick Goals for the GOAT. Messi is playing now like the way he was 19/20 years old
Wosabdeilr
16
To all of Ronaldo's delusional fans downplaying Messi's ability doesn't make Ronaldo's better
labcilotyz
13
For all those saying MLS is easy even if u are older. Look at stats of other legends playing there Muller - 6 G + 3 A (9 G/A) in 16 games Son- 4G + 8A (12 G/A) in 21 games Lewy ( only played 6 games) - 3 G in 6 games Meanwhile Messi - 18 G + 10 A (28G/A) in 19 games. Now compare to his contemporaries who joined other weaker leagues. And this isn't something exclusive to MLS. He has been doing it consistently in La Liga. He did it in 2nd of 2 season in PSG. in fact he holds the most G/A scored in a season in Europe top 5. No wonder he is leading G/A ever in football history. Just 🐐 stats