Lionel Messi on record-breaking goal-spree for Inter Miami after painful Club World Cup exit

Lionel Messi has dispelled any fears that his enthusiasm for the MLS might have been curbed by Inter Miami's crushing exit from the Fifa Club World Cup last month, by embarking on a record-breaking goal-spree.

The Argentine great scored twice for Miami in their 2-1 win over Nashville, which meant Messi had grabbed a double for the fifth game in a row.

That broke the record he had set himself days earlier when he became the first player to score multiple goals in four straight MLS matches as New England were also beaten 2-1.

“There are not many words. It's incredible what he keeps doing, breaking records now every three days, not even every weekend,” said Miami manager Javier Mascherano.

“He is the standard-bearer of our team that shows us the way to compete. He is the leader. It's a blessing for me to accompany this stage of his career.”

The run had kicked into gear before Miami started their Club World Cup campaign when Messi notched braces in the 4-2 and 5-1 wins over Montreal and Columbus, respectively.

Back on the global stage at the expanded and rebooted Fifa tournament, Messi and Miami navigated their way out of the group stage having started with a low key goalless draw with Egypt's Al Ahly.

History was made in their second game against Porto when Miami secured a 2-1 victory courtesy of a trademark Messi free-kick that sealed all three points, in was the first time a Concacaf team had beaten a European side in an official Fifa tournament.

And Mascherano's side looked on course to finish top of Group A as they powered into a two-goal lead against Palmeiras of Brazil, with Messi's old partner in crime Luis Suarez providing an assist for the first and scoring a superb solo second.

But two goals in the last 10 minutes from Palmeiras levelled the scores and snatched top spot from Miami on goal difference, which meant Messi would be taking on his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 rather than another Brazilian side, Botafogo.

And it would be a brutal reality check against the newly crowned European champions, who secured a 4-0 victory with all the goals coming in a crushing opening 45 minutes for Messi and Co, who failed to register a single shot of any note or even touch the ball in the PSG penalty area.

It was a chastening evening for Miami but Mascherano had insisted the players should take heart from their endeavours.

“We achieved the goal we had set for ourselves, we were very aware that we could compete up to a certain level, and today reality has shown that,” the Argentine told reporters after the game in Atlanta.

“I am very proud of my players, of the work they did in the competition … we tried to show in each match what we could do. The gap is what it is, but I am very proud of them.”

The challenge now would be on trying to refocus back on domestic duties after the highs and lows of the Club World Cup.

A week after the PSG battering came a trip to Canada to take on Montreal and a second-minute goal from Prince Owusu meant Miami had suffered an early blow.

But they were level just after the half-hour mart courtesy of Tadeo Allende that was followed my Messi's brace and Telasco Segovia's brilliant finish as Miami ran out 4-1 winners.

“It is a great night, we took the three points that were very necessary to start thinking about the MLS again,” Mascherano said. “It is never easy to reintegrate into the competition after the Club World Cup, and the players have done it perfectly.”

As for Messi, Mascherano added:” Leo is happy playing football. Every time he is fit, he is going to play. Clearly we have an extra advantage when he plays and we want to use that advantage as much as possible.”

That advantage would certainly come the fore again in their next two games with Messi scoring all four of their goals against New England and Nashville.

Messi, who turned 38 during the Club World Cup, has now scored 16 goals in as many MLS appearances this season, leaving him joint top of the scoring charts alongside Nashville's Sam Surridge.

Their latest victory leaves Miami fifth in the Eastern Conference, five points behind leaders Philadelphia with three games in hand.

Miami's relentless schedule continues this week when they take on second-placed Cincinnati on Wednesday and then New York Red Bulls, who are eighth, next weekend.

The trick for Mascherano is going to be judging when is the right moment to give his veteran forward a breather after his recent exertions.

“At some point we are going to have to find a space to give him some rest, we are going to talk about it day by day,” he said. “He is feeling good and when we think it is time to give him some rest, we will do it.”