Lionel Messi (two goals, two assists) delivered and then some in front of a record crowd at Gillette Stadium. Here's how it happened. - The Boston Globe

Revolution coach Caleb Porter: "Messi did what he does." — 10:10 p.m.

After a perfect start on a night where the attention was focused firmly on the opponent, things went south for the Revolution in a hurry, as they controlled much of the first half hour.

"Then Messi did what he does, and he found a crack," Porter said. "Even though, yes, he's the best in the world at finding those cracks and scoring goals, our detail in that moment could've been better."

Things went south after the Messi equalizer, as New England found itself under plenty of pressure. Porter thought the Revolution still had a chance at 1-1, but once Messi put the visitors in front in the 68th minute, it was all Miami.

"That's Messi," Porter said. "He finds two goals out of nowhere, and it exposes the detail in those moments from us."

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino: "People come to see Leo." — 10:00 p.m.

For Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, the spectacles in MLS stadiums when Lionel Messi is in town aren't that new, having coached Messi in Barcelona a decade ago. But the environment is one of a kind in this league, something he has no problem with.

"Yes, it's true, the people in all the stadiums come to see Leo, in every city we play [in]," Martino said. "But then they want their team to win. The atmosphere we find motivates us. We have to be concentrated for 95 minutes."

As for the Gillette Stadium turf that caused so much doubt about whether Messi would play at all?

"People come to see Leo." Martino said. "The issue of the field is not a problem."

Messi sets a record of his own — 9:50 p.m.

Messi has set a truckful of records in his time, and he added a new one to his resume on Saturday. With two goals and two assists, Messi became the first MLS player in history to record multiple goal contributions (goals and/or assists) in five consecutive games.

With a pair of goals against the New England Revolution -- his eighth and ninth goals of the season -- @InterMiamiCF's Lionel Messi became the first player in MLS history to record multiple goal contributions in five consecutive games. pic.twitter.com/YEN4r2He46

— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) April 28, 2024

Full-time at Gillette Stadium, and Messi delivered — 9:35 p.m.

At the final whistle here at Gillette Stadium, it's 4-1 Inter Miami, courtesy of a brilliant performance from Lionel Messi.

He finishes with two goals and two assists, plus a hand in the other Miami goal. He gets a big ovation from the record Gillette crowd, which got all it could've hoped for tonight.

Messi to Suarez, and it's 4-1 — 9:27 p.m.

Remember those Lionel Messi to Luis Suarez assists we talked about? Messi finds space in the box with a lovely one-two, lays it off for Suarez, and his old friends curls one into the top corner to make it 4-1 to Miami.

Messi is running the show, and the crowd chants his name — 9:25 p.m.

Messi was a little quiet in the game's first 30 minutes, but he's been the star of the show since. He's been at the center of everything Inter Miami has done in a big second half; dribbling past players, creating chances, and extending Miami's lead.

He can play to a crowd, too. During an injury stoppage, Messi waved the crowd on and was greeted with a "Messi! Messi!" chant.

Messi nearly has his hat trick, but Inter Miami still scores — 9:20 p.m.

A brilliant Henrich Ravas save was all that stood between Lionel Messi and a brilliant Gillette Stadium hat trick, as the Argentine ripped a first time shot from point-blank range that Ravas parried with a diving stop; that was all the Revolution goalkeeper could do, as Inter Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi could tap the ball into an open net to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

It's Messi again, and it's 2-1 — 9:07 p.m.

The guy is just special. Messi collects a beautiful pass from Sergio Busquets, settles just inside the box, and smashes his second goal of the game past a helpless Henrich Ravas for his second goal of the game. Messi's had his quiet moments, but when he explodes into life, he's been absolutely ruthless for Inter Miami.

Luis Suarez enters the game to a big ovation — 9:05 p.m.

Part of the fun of the Messi experience at Inter Miami has been the old friends he's brought along. Luis Suarez, one of the best strikers of this century, replaces Leo Campana just after the hour mark — the Uruguayan scored 198 goals for FC Barcelona (more than a few courtesy of a Messi assist) in just six seasons at the club.

All the attention for this one of course has been on Lionel Messi, but New England's own diminutive playmaker has made a big impact. Carles Gil has been at the forefront of everything positive for the Revolution, creating multiple big chances — including the Revolution's opener — to make sure New England isn't overmatched in the creativity department.

It's a record crowd, indeed — 8:45 p.m.

The Revolution announced the attendance after halftime, and it's a new single-match record for New England: 65,612.

The previous record was set in 2002, in the MLS Cup against the Los Angeles Galaxy, when 61,316 fans filed into Gillette for the championship match.

We're back underway, and Lionel Messi is indeed back out for the second half.

It's halftime of a good one at Gillette — 8:30 p.m.

It's been everything the fans here could've wanted: a competitive game, an early goal, some Messi magic, a full-stadium wave that made three or four trips around the stands, and an inevitable goal from the Argentine superstar. It's 1-1 at halftime here at Gillette Stadium, and the people are getting their money's worth.

Messi scores, and we're level at Gillette Stadium — 8:15 p.m.

You can't keep him down for long. After a Revolution turnover, Messi picks up a pass in a pocket of space in the right channel and finishes past Henrich Ravas to level us at 1-1. He'd started to influence the game heavily over the last few minutes, and that's how quickly he can turn a game.

First bit of Messi Magic — 8:10 p.m.

Messi has grown into the game over the 15 minutes to play some line-splitting passes, but he flashed his first moment of individual brilliance just before the half-hour mark, drawing oohs and aahs from the Gillette Stadium crowd.

Under pressure from multiple defenders, he escaped with a dribble through Mark-Anthony Kaye's legs, then beat Kaye again with a feint one way and a touch the other before hitting a right-footed shot right at Revolution goalkeeper Henrich Ravas.

Inter Miami has controlled the game over the last 15 minutes, and the Revolution are having to absorb lots of pressure as they hold a 1-0 lead.

Revolution stifling Messi through 15 minutes — 7:55 p.m.

All the attention from a capacity crowd is on Lionel Messi, and so is the attention from the Revolution — multiple New England players are swarming the Argentinian every time the ball comes to his feet, and the magician has struggled to get into the game as Inter Miami has only threatened the Revolution box once so far.

Every time Messi touches it, though, the crowd rises in voice with anticipation.

We're underway at Gillette, and the Revolution lead inside a minute — 7:42 p.m.

That's one way to upstage the greatest ever — the Revolution capitalize on an early turnover, Carles Gil plays a ball over the top to Tomas Chancalay, and Chancalay lobs a bouncing ball over the head of Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender after just 40 seconds. What a start.

It sure looks like a sellout crowd at Gillette Stadium — 7:40 p.m.

The teams are out on the pitch, and while there are still a few fans filtering in, it certainly looks like we've got a full house in Foxborough.

Patriots receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is also here, as the Revolution's honorary captain. Maybe the Revolution can play him up front tonight.

Messi brought friends to Miami — 7:20 p.m.

Messi isn't the only former FC Barcelona star to make the surprising move to Miami; he brought multiple former teammates along for the ride, helping make Inter Miami one of the league's most fascinating team.

Also starting on Saturday is Spain's Sergio Busquets, arguably the best defensive midfielder of his era, whose tempo-setting passing and one-of-a-kind press resistance has helped Inter Miami control games in midfield.

On the bench for this one is Luis Suarez, one of the best strikers of this century who was the only player not named Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Golden Shoe as Europe's top goalscorer between 2010 and 2019. There's a good chance we see the Uruguayan tonight.

Messi takes the pitch to a big roar — 7:00 p.m.

If you didn't see Messi come out of the tunnel for warmups with Inter Miami, you heard it, with big cheers and whistles from the crowd as Gillette Stadium continues to fill 30 minutes before kickoff.

There's pink and black everywhere you look here at Gillette Stadium, and there's no secret as to whom the majority are here to see.

On this day: Messi Magic — 6:45 p.m.

If you needed a reminder of what Lionel Messi has been capable of in his sparkling career, Saturday marks the 13th anniversary of one of his most famous goals, when he slalomed through the Real Madrid defense in a crucial Champions League semifinal in spectacular fashion.

Messi's in the starting lineup — 6:35 p.m.

The mystery is over: Lionel Messi is starting for Inter Miami against the Revolution.

Serious security at Gillette Stadium — 6:30 p.m.

Since he landed stateside, the world's greatest soccer player has been the subject of more than a few pitch invasions, with rabid fans desperate to get a moment — or a photo — with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He's even got his own personal security guard, who shadows Messi from the sideline scanning for any unwelcome guests.

Gillette Stadium is taking no chenaces tonight: there are two rows of security facing each side of the stands, plus another security guard posted at the foot of each aisle. If anyone tries to get onto the pitch tonight, they'll face plenty of obstacles on their way.

For local Argentinians, it's a big night — 6:00 p.m.

By Maddie Khaw

Ana Videla Sola Montoya remembers Argentina's 2022 World Cup win fondly.

Four million people flooded the streets of her home city, Buenos Aires, she recalled. Argentina is a "very difficult country to be living in," fraught with high rates of inflation and unhappiness, according to Montoya, an Emerson College student. But after the World Cup, "everyone was happy," she said.

At the center of it all? Lionel Messi.

The international soccer sensation, argued by many as the greatest of all time, is the focus of many Argentinian football fans' fervor.

"Messi is kind of like our God over there," Montoya said.

Read more here

Carles Gil is one Revolution player who has firsthand experience against Messi — 5:45 p.m.

By Frank Dell'Apa

Not many MLS players go back as far with Lionel Messi as Revolution captain Carles Gil. In 2013-14, Gil's first season in La Liga, he helped Elche CF hold Messi's FC Barcelona to a 0-0 tie, spoiling Blaugrana chances for a title.

At the time, Gil was 21 years old and Messi in his athletic prime at 27. A decade later, Gil and Messi will be matched again when the Revolution face Inter Miami Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

"They have the best player in the world," Gil said. "So we have to be very focused on him but try to do our job. To be strong at home, that's what we want, to climb up in the league. I think it's a good game to show that we want to win games."

Read more here.

Video: The Messi effect — 5:20 p.m.

Inter Miami is staying at the Ritz-Carlton near Boston Common, and it appears fans have been gathering outside the hotel to get a look at Messi.

Here's video from the team's arrival:

¡¡LA LOCURA QUE DESPIERTA EL GOAT!! Inter Miami llegó a Boston para enfrentar este sábado al New England Revolution por la MLS y, en el arribo al hotel, hubo ovación para Leo y muchas camisetas de la Selección Argentina.

📹 @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/d7Yxtu64rF

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) April 27, 2024

And as they leave for the game today:

Going to school next to the Ritz Boston means I see tons of famous athletes leaving for games. I have seen crowds gather for stars like LeBron and Sidney Crosby… but no crowd is as big as Messi. #InterMiami pic.twitter.com/VYLdEEwRB2

— Danielle DuBois (@DanielleDuBois) April 27, 2024

Can the Revolution get back on track against the great Messi? — 5:00 p.m.

By Frank Dell'Apa

Diego Valeri expects the Revolution to be prepared for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi Saturday, partly because of first-year coach Caleb Porter's competitiveness.

"He's a fighter," said Valeri, who will provide Spanish-language commentary for the game for Apple TV. "He's won titles and he knows how to do it.

"When you go to a new place, you have to adapt and work hard. He needs time to adapt and get to know the roster and know the club better. But he's very competitive and very energized as a coach. He knows how to motivate players, and they have a great roster, good names in the team."

Valeri should know. He performed under Porter with the Portland Timbers for four years, winning the 2015 MLS Cup and earning league MVP honors in 2017.

In fact, Valeri knows both sides. Before joining the Timbers, Valeri competed against Messi in Spain's La Liga and with Messi on Argentina's national team.

"It's going to be special," Valeri said. "I was at Arrowhead and there were 73,000 watching Messi. It was a great game" — Miami defeated Sporting Kansas City, 3-2 — "and I expect the same at Gillette Stadium. Miami has a great team and is top of the table. With Messi and Luis Suarez, it should be special for all of those who have a chance to go."

The Revolution have yet to recover in league play, compiling a 1-6-1 record, their worst start in 29 seasons. They also are the league's lowest-scoring team (0.63 goals per game), while Inter Miami ranks second with 22 goals (2.2), behind the Los Angeles Galaxy (2.3).

Read the full story here.

Revolution game attendance history — 4:30 p.m.

Tonight's attendance could break a record for the highest single-game attendance at a Revolution game, and could also break a Gillette Stadium record for attendance at a soccer game.

Here's a look at the history.

Highest single-game Revolution attendance

1. Oct. 20, 2002: Revolution vs. LA Galaxy (MLS Cup 2002), 61,316

2. April 20, 1997: Revolution vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (doubleheader with US/Mexico World Cup qualifier), 57,407

3. Oct. 17, 2015: Revolution vs. Montreal Impact, 42,947

4. Oct. 21, 2023: Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union (regular-season finale), 41,355

Highest single-game attendance for a soccer game at Gillette

1. Sept. 12, 2007: Brazil vs. Mexico, 67,584

2. June 4, 2011: US vs. Spain, 64,121

3. Sept. 10, 2013: Brazil vs. Portugal, 62,310

4. Oct. 20, 2002: Revolution vs. LA Galaxy (MLS Cup 2002), 61,316

The last time Messi played at Gillette — 4:15 p.m.

By Hayden Bird

Messi has played at Gillette Stadium before, leading Argentina to a 3-1 win over Venezuela in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Copa América Centenario. Of course, that was a game played on a temporarily installed grass field as required by FIFA.

Messi's performance that day? It was, by his own standards, routine excellence: An exquisite assist, and a give-and-go goal.

Game preview: What to know about Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution — 4:00 p.m.

By the Associated Press

The Revolution are 1-6-1 in Eastern Conference play, and Inter Miami enters 2-2-1. With 18 points, Inter Miami leads the East.

Lionel Messi is fresh off of a two-goal outing against Nashville. He's scored six goals with three assists this season, and Luis Suarez has added six goals and four assists. Carles Gil, who leads New England, has three goals and one assist on the season.

The Revolution are eighth in the league drawing 49 corner kicks, averaging 6.1 per game. Miami is 10th, drawing 39 corner kicks, averaging 3.9 per game.

The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.

Season stats

Revolution: Averaging 0.6 goals, 5.1 shots on goal and 6.1 corner kicks through eight games while allowing 1.8 goals per game.

Miami: Averaging 2.1 goals, 4.9 shots on goal and 3.9 corner kicks through 10 games while allowing 1.4 goals per game.

Not expected to play

Revolution: Peyton Miller (injured), Dylan Borrero (injured), Brandon Bye (injured), Jonathan Mensah (injured).

Miami: Federico Redondo Solari (injured), Ian Fray (injured), Facundo Farias (injured), Leonardo Campana (injured), Robbie Robinson (injured), Robert Thomas Taylor (injured), Sergey Krivtsov (injured).

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the greatest is here — 3:30 p.m.

By Matt Porter

He walks the pitch far more often than he runs it these days, patrolling with choppy steps and waiting, waiting, waiting . . .

Until he sees what no one else can. Until he gets the ball at his feet and does what no one thought possible.

Lionel Messi, two months before turning 37, still has more magic in him than any other Major League Soccer player, and that is no slight. No offense to the Revolution, but everyone in the stands Saturday at Gillette Stadium will forever remember this above all else:

They saw Messi.

Assuming he plays for Inter Miami — likely, but not guaranteed, given his age and bothersome hamstring — spectators will witness one of the absolute masters of sport, in the flesh. Most fans attend games. Messi fans make pilgrimages.

"He's really beloved because of how he plays," said Miami Herald writer Michelle Kaufman, now full-time on the "Messi beat" in her 36th year covering soccer. "He plays differently than anyone. If you knew nothing about soccer, when he comes on the field . . . you would know immediately.

"There's a certain energy field that when he comes on the field, everyone elevates their game. The same guys look like different players. It's because Messi is there. There's the promise of magic every time he touches the ball."

To see a transcendent athlete in person is to be swept up in that possibility — one that Messi, even now, still carries.

Even at a slower pace, Messi, all 5 feet 7 inches and 148 pounds of him, remains a wizard on the pitch, a showstopper. In his first full season in MLS, the most decorated player in the world's most popular sport is second in the league in goals (7) and tied for the lead in assists (6), despite starting only half of Miami's games.

Perhaps only a handful of people are old enough to have watched Babe Ruth play. Those who saw Muhammad Ali and Pelé in person are probably well into retirement. Consider yourself one of the luckiest sports fans ever if you watched Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, or Serena Williams up close.

Can you close your eyes and see them, even today? Can you still feel the buzz? Read the rest of the story here.

Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.