"Scriptwriters are at it again", "Messi League Soccer" - Fans react as Lionel Messi scores Inter Miami's 4th goal in Leagues Cup QF

Lionel Messi once again got his name on the scoresheet but left it late in Inter Miami's 4-0 thrashing of Charlotte FC on Friday (August 11).

The Argentine icon headed into the Leagues Cup clash with Charlotte with seven goals in four games. It has been an electric start to life at the DRV PNK Stadium for the 36-year-old who has been scoring goals for fun.

However, it seemed as though Lionel Messi would fail to net for the fifth straight game as Inter Miami's encounter with the Crown sailed toward the dying embers. However, the legendary forward would leave his mark in the 86th minute.

Messi netted from close range to grab the Herons' fourth to seal Gerardo Martino's side's place in the semifinals. His goal came after Josef Martinez's 12th-minute penalty, Robert Taylor's 32nd-minute effort and Adilson Malanda's 78th-minute own goal.

The Argentine icon's scintillating form in the United States has mirrored that of a superhero in a Hollywood blockbuster. He had been making nods to Marvel characters when celebrating goals before, but his late effort didn't result in such a celebration.

Nevertheless, one fan reckons Messi's spell at the DRV PNK Stadium is being scripted by Hollywood's best following another inspired performance:

"The scriptwriters are at it again."

Another fan has given the MLS a new name:

"Messi League Soccer."

Here's how Twitter reacted to Lionel Messi bagging his eighth goal in just five games:

Fans laud Messi after he nets once again.

The Argentine icon comes in for more praise.

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Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino on expectations that Lionel Messi will score when taking free-kicks

Lionel Messi has bagged free-kick goals for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi has scored two iconic free-kicks during his short spell with Inter Miami. His first came on his debut after he had come on against Cruz Azul to score an audacious 90+4th-minute winner.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner scored another in the Herons' dramatic 4-4 draw with FC Dallas. His side would eventually win the last-16 clash 5-4 on penalties, with the Argentine covering his spot-kick.

Messi's compatriot and Inter Miami manager Martino has explained how he expects the Barcelona icon to score when taking a free-kick (via The Mirror):

“A free kick usually is something where you think it won't be a goal 90% of the time, but when he has it, it's the opposite. You think it won't be a goal 10% of the time, but the rest it will be."

Messi didn't score a free-kick goal in Miami's win over Charlotte. However, fans will hope to see him do so when his team face Philadelphia Union in the semifinals of the Leagues Cup on Monday (August 14).