{
  "id": 4412440,
  "title": "Lionel Messi hailed as 'footballing beauty' after hitting four goals for Inter Miami in MLS rout",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lionel-messi-hailed-as-footballing-beauty-after-hitting-four-goals-4412440",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T11:24:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/30/lionel-messi-hailed-as-footballing-beauty-after-hitting-four-goals-for-inter-miami-in-mls-rout/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend, was celebrated as a \"footballing beauty\" after scoring four goals in a single match for Inter Miami in the MLS. This remarkable performance marked Messi's first four-goal game since joining the MLS in 2023, ending his team's five-game losing streak. Inter Miami's dominant 7-1 victory over Montreal at Nu Stadium showcased Messi's exceptional skills and leadership. The Catalan superstar's eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is now the top scorer in the MLS with 18 goals, surpassing Petar Musa of FC Dallas. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro also contributed with his first goal since joining Inter, scoring in the 20th minute. Inter's hiring of Messi's countryman Cristian \"Kily\" Gonzalez to replace interim coach Guillermo Hoyos is expected to bolster the team. The victory was the ninth time Messi had scored four or more goals in a single match during his career. Former Real Madrid star Casemiro praised Messi's performance, calling him \"above every other footballer.\"",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi was hailed as \"footballing beauty\" after hitting four goals in one game for the first time since moving to the MLS in 2023, as Inter Miami halted their five-game winless streak by thrashing Montreal 7-1 at Nu Stadium. Three of the Argentine veteran's goals came after half-time - as did his assist for Miami's fourth, scored by Luis Suarez in Florida, bringing to an end a streak that…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Inter Miami appoint Argentine Gonzalez as new head coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/inter-miami-appoint-argentine-gonzalez-as-new-head-coach",
        "published": "2026-08-28T01:16:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Inter Miami bring in Messi’s fellow Argentine Cristian ‘Kily’ Gonzalez to end losing streak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/inter-miami-bring-in-messis-fellow-argentine-cristian-kily-gonzalez",
        "published": "2026-08-28T02:54:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Inter Miami appoint 'Kily' Gonzalez as new manager",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/inter-miami-appoint-kily-gonzalez-as-new-manager",
        "published": "2026-08-28T03:33:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Lionel Messi hailed as 'footballing beauty' after hitting four goals for Inter Miami in MLS rout",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/lionel-messi-hailed-as-footballing-beauty-after-hitting-four-goals",
        "published": "2026-08-30T11:24:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}