Casemiro Admits Messi's 4-Goal MLS Mastery at 39 Is Unreal

Lionel Messi delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances of his legendary career on Saturday night. Four goals. One assist. A 5-0 demolition of the New York Red Bulls in front of a sell-out crowd at Chase Stadium. At 39 years old - his birthday came on June 24 - Messi produced a display that left even his toughest competitors shaking their heads in disbelief. The Argentine icon opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. He doubled the lead with a second penalty in the 58th. Then came the trademark 24-yard free-kick in the 71st. To cap it all off, he curled a left-footed beauty into the top corner from open play in the 83rd minute. In between, he served up a delicious through-ball for Luis Suárez to make it 5-0. It was his first four-goal "poker" in MLS competition, surpassing his hat-trick against New England Revolution back in April.

The numbers are staggering. Messi now has 28 goals in just 22 MLS appearances this season, breaking the single-season scoring record for players aged 35 or older - a mark previously held by Bradley Wright-Phillips with 27 goals in 2016. He's also opened up a two-goal lead in the 2026 Golden Boot race over D.C. United's Christian Benteke. But it wasn't just the stats that had everyone talking. It was the sheer audacity of it all.

📊 28 goals in 22 MLS matches at age 39 - Messi broke the 35+ single-season scoring record previously held by Bradley Wright-Phillips (27 goals in 2016).

Casemiro's Profound Admission: "He Is the Greatest, Period"

Perhaps the most remarkable reaction came not from the Miami faithful or the pundits, but from Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who was watching the game live from the stands as a guest of Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas. The Brazilian was in Florida on a pre-season promotional tour and made sure he didn't miss a moment of the action. Speaking to ESPN Brasil after the final whistle, Casemiro didn't hold back: "At 39 years old, the guy just does things that are not human. I came here to learn from him; I'm his student. There is no game plan for that. He is the greatest, period." He even joked that he would refuse to mark Messi in a hypothetical matchup, laughing, "It would be illegal."

Casemiro's words carry weight. Here is a five-time UEFA Champions League winner, a player who has lifted trophies at Real Madrid and Manchester United, calling himself a student of the game at the feet of Messi. It's a profound admission that underscores just how far above the rest Messi operates - even at an age when most players have long since hung up their boots. And for the record, there's no transfer rumor linking Casemiro to Miami. He's under contract at Old Trafford through 2027. This was purely about witnessing greatness up close.

League Reaction, Merchandise Frenzy, and What This Means for MLS

The fallout from Messi's four-goal explosion has been immediate and massive. The league confirmed on August 30 that the match ball will be sent to the Messi Museum in Rosario, Argentina, a fitting tribute to yet another historic chapter. Meanwhile, MLS's official merchandise store has already dropped a commemorative "4 Goals at 39" t-shirt, priced at $39.99, available since 9 AM ET today.