Lionel Messi becomes fastest to 20 multi-goal MLS games with four-goal performance in Inter Miami’s 7-1 win

Lionel Messi became the fastest player in Major League Soccer history to record 20 multi-goal games when he scored four goals and provided an assist in Inter Miami CF’s 7-1 victory over CF Montréal on August 29, 2026.

Messi’s four-goal display completed the 20 multi-goal outings milestone in his 72nd MLS appearance, breaking the previous quickest mark. A small group of former and current MLS stars — including Josef Martínez, Robbie Keane, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Landon Donovan — have reached 20 multi-goal games during their careers, each at different points and in different spans of matches.

The Argentina international’s night in Florida raised his season tally to 18 goals in 19 games and delivered the 20th match in which he has scored multiple goals across MLS appearances, achieved in 72 league games. The 7-1 scoreline over CF Montréal was the fixture in which Messi recorded the milestone and the assist that accompanied his four goals.

Josef Martínez previously held the league’s quickest-to-20 multi-goal-games mark, accomplishing the feat in 100 MLS matches. Martínez joined Atlanta United on loan before making the move permanent, spent five seasons with the club, and during that spell set new club records and helped the side to silverware.

Robbie Keane reached his 20th multi-goal game on September 25, 2016, during his 124th appearance for LA Galaxy. Keane finished his Major League Soccer tenure with 83 regular-season goals and 45 assists in 125 games, and he won the 2014 MLS MVP award as well as three MLS Cups with Los Angeles.

Bradley Wright-Phillips recorded his 20th multi-goal game on May 20, 2018, in his 149th MLS appearance while playing for the New York Red Bulls. Wright-Phillips was among the early players to reach this multi-goal milestone before others later surpassed his pace.

Landon Donovan was the first player in Major League Soccer history to reach 20 multi-goal games, achieving the mark in his 178th MLS appearance during a career that included spells with the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes; his 178-game benchmark stood until it was surpassed by later players such as Martínez and Keane.

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