Just when you think you've seen everything Lionel Messi can do, he goes ahead and pulls another rabbit out of the hat. That’s Messi for you. If anyone thought the 37-year-old Argentine genius was slowing down after jumping into the American soccer scene with Inter Miami, last night was a wake-up call that he's still got plenty of gas in the tank. In one of those jaw-dropping performances, Messi tore apart Bolivia with a 6-0 thrashing in the latest round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
But before diving into what went down on the field, let’s give Messi his well-deserved credit. The guy isn’t just a soccer player; he’s a force of nature, a hurricane that sweeps everything in its path. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing in Miami, Buenos Aires, or anywhere else on the planet. When Messi’s on the field, you know something special’s about to go down. And that’s exactly what happened.
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The first goal came in the 19th minute, and of course, it had Messi’s name written all over it. A left-footed strike with the calm of someone who’s done it a thousand times. Lautaro Martínez, who dished out the assist, practically served it on a silver platter, and Messi did the rest.
But Messi wasn’t done. Not even close. Right before halftime, he decided to return the favor. After blazing down the flank, he laid it on Lautaro’s foot, and this time it was Lautaro’s turn to finish it off. A perfectly timed pass, the kind only Messi can pull off. And before the Bolivian fans could even process what was happening, Messi threw in another assist, this time to Julián Álvarez, who made it 3-0 before the break.
The second half? It was just more of the same domination, with Thiago Almada, formerly of Atlanta United, adding the fourth. And, of course, Messi saved the best for last. In one of those video game-like moves, he found the back of the net in the 84th minute with a level of ease only a genius could muster. But the icing on the cake came just three minutes later. Dribbling near the box, he unleashed a rocket with his left foot, sealing his hat-trick.
This wasn’t just any hat-trick. It was his first for Argentina in three years and pushed his goal tally for the national team to 112. Who can stop this man? Apparently, no one. Not age, not pressure, not even a jam-packed schedule. Messi is Messi, and he keeps proving it game after game.
Of course, a performance like this isn’t just a big deal for Argentina; it’s huge for his club too. Inter Miami, a team that’s seen Messi transform them since his arrival, has gotta be thrilled. They just snagged the Supporters' Shield and are gearing up to face the New England Revolution in a crucial match that could set new records for points in the MLS.
It’s no stretch to say that Messi is breathing new life into American soccer. Sure, Major League Soccer (MLS) has been growing, and big names have come through. But Messi? He’s different. He’s brought more than just media buzz; he’s given the league a kind of legitimacy it’s always craved. Just look at the numbers since he showed up. Packed stadiums. Inter Miami jerseys flying off the shelves. Messi isn’t just a player, he’s a global brand.
So, what else can he do? Well, judging by his performance with Argentina, we’re probably about to witness something magical at the MLS Cup. And don’t be fooled; Messi knows how to win trophies. With Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina, he’s used to lifting hardware, and that winning mentality is exactly what he’s brought to Inter Miami.
Oh, and for Inter Miami fans worried about Messi’s pace? Chill. His display against Bolivia shows he’s sharper than ever. So, grab your popcorn and book your tickets because the MLS Cup playoffs are shaping up to be a wild ride with Messi leading the charge.