Lionel Messi needed just one touch to outsmart the New England Revolution and help Inter Miami set a new record for the most wins in a season on the final day of the MLS regular season.

Just a few days after scoring a hat trick for Argentina 4,400 miles away, he stepped into a 2-2 game on Saturday with the clock at Inter's Chase Stadium showing 57:00.

As the fans showed their appreciation for the GOAT, play resumed at around 57:15. Miami needed to score a goal to complete the comeback and set a new MLS record for points in a single season.

And at 57:31, with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, Messi helped create it. He checked the ball at the top of the box. He then sent the ball over the top of the New England Revolution's defence and into the path of Jordi Alba, who passed it to Benjamin Cremaschi to score the winning goal.

And he didn't stop there. Just under 20 minutes later, Messi combined with Luis Suárez and scored to double Miami's lead.

He soon added his 19th goal of the 2024 MLS season, in only 19 games (16 starts), to seal the deal.

And as a bonus, he scored his 20th goal, which also marked his second hat-trick in just five days.

The 6-2 win took Inter to 74 points, just one more than the Revs earned in 2021, the previous record.

Messi came on after 57 minutes, and that's when the game really shifted. Miami were clearly the better team and took the win and the points. Next up is… The playoffs start next weekend.

Here's the lowdown on the MLS Eastern Conference playoff matchups and bracket.

In other news from the East, Montreal managed to hang on to a playoff spot, but DC United didn't do so well and gave up the final spot to Atlanta United.

The matchups are as follows:

1. Inter Miami

8. Play-in winner (Atlanta or Montreal)

4. Orlando City

5. Charlotte FC

2. Columbus Crew

7. New York Red Bulls

3. FC Cincinnati

6. NYCFC

The play-in match between Atlanta and Montreal is Tuesday or Wednesday. The true first round begins Friday, Oct. 25.