Lionel Messi could earn fan $28,000 payout on a 450-1 bet after joining Inter Miami… but social media is urging him to cash out!

If Lionel Messi continues scoring at this freakish rate for Inter Miami, one lucky fan could be set to land an astonishing $28,000 payout this season.

Messi has got off to a flyer in the States, firing home seven goals in his first four games for Miami after sealing a mega-money move to the club last month.

All four of his appearances so far have come in the Leagues Cup, with Tata Martino’s side gearing up for their quarter-final showdown with Charlotte on Friday night.

And if Inter go all the way in the competition, one fan will have $28,000 in his sights.

The fan in question, named Brad, has placed a $64 bet on Miami to win this season’s Leagues Cup and Messi to claim the MLS Golden Boot at odds of 450-1, bringing him in a huge windfall if both outcomes play out.

Messi is yet to feature in MLS – with his proposed debut against Charlotte on August 20 now postponed – meaning he needs to make up 13 goals on current Golden Boot leader Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC for Brad to be in with a chance.

However, after registering seven goals in his first four matches, the 36-year-old is currently projected to net 21 goals in Miami’s final 12 MLS games of the season should he continue scoring at the same rate.

That means Brad is certainly in with a chance of scooping the $28,000, with all eyes on Miami’s Leagues Cup quarter final against Charlotte on Friday.

Yet in a screenshot of the bet shared on X, Brad also has the chance to cash out on his bet for $772 – and fans are urging him to do so despite the staggering full payout on offer.

One put: ‘Cash it!!’, while another simply told him: ‘Cash out mate’.

Messi winning the MLS Golden Boot is not out of the realms of possibility this season after he became Miami’s joint-fourth highest scorer ever in a mere four outings.

His dramatic free-kick equalizer against FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup round of 16 on Sunday drew him level with current team mate Josef Martinez as well as former players Lewis Morgan and Rodolfo Pizarro. 

The only players to have scored more than Messi are Gonzalo Higuain (29), and current Inter players Leo Campana (16) and Robert Taylor (8). 

Messi will hope to continue his incredible form in the Leagues Cup against Charlotte on Friday after a series of influential performances in the group stage and round of 16.

After his breathtaking debut winner against Cruz Azul, the Barcelona legend scored three consecutive doubles to fire Miami into the last eight, including a late equalizer in Sunday’s win over Dallas.

Once again Messi struck gold from a free kick, curling the ball into the top-right corner to make it 4-4 and send the game to extra-time.

He then successfully tucked away his penalty kick in the resulting shootout as Miami booked their place in the quarter-finals.