Israeli soccer player Toklomati's hat-trick stuns Messi’s team in major MLS upset

Israeli soccer player Idan Toklomati scored a hat-trick (three goals in one game) on Saturday in Charlotte FC’s 3-0 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match. Toklomati has now scored 11 goals for Charlotte this season and was named Man of the Match.

The crowd of 35,000 at Bank of America Stadium was left stunned as Toklomati scored in the 34th, 47th, and 84th minutes of the game. Just moments earlier, Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the 32nd minute, setting the tone for a dramatic match.

After the match, Toklomati shared,

"I feel amazing. After I scored twice, we got a penalty, I looked at Zaha and he said to me, ‘Want a hat-trick?’ I looked back at him and thought to myself, ‘He’s just an angel.’ After scoring the hat-trick, I nearly lost my mind. It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life."

Iris Journo, mother of Toklomati, told Kan News about her excitement over her son's stunning performance:

"I haven’t slept yet. I’m bursting with adrenaline. I’m so happy that my son is making me a proud mother. We screamed at the first goal, held our heads at the second, and during the penalty, we spoke to his father in heaven – it turns out he was listening and with me throughout the whole game."

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Lian Wildau and Yoav Borowitz.