MIAMI (AFP): A magical night in Florida saw Lionel Messi at his unstoppable best, scoring a spectacular hat-trick to lead Inter Miami to a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC, clinching the Major League Soccer Golden Boot in the process. The Argentine legend finished the regular season with 29 goals in 28 matches, ahead of Denis Bouanga (LAFC) and Sam Surridge (Nashville), who both netted 24.
Messi’s brilliance helped Miami secure third place in the Eastern Conference, setting up a playoff rematch against Nashville beginning October 24. “What can I say about Leo?” said coach Javier Mascherano. “He was exceptional, as always. He deserves the MVP award — he’s carried us again.” “The first half was difficult, but we raised our level,” Mascherano added. “In the second half, we attacked more, took risks, and played with great intensity.”
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Match highlights are as follows:
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34’ — GOAL: Messi opened the scoring with a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box after a pass from Jordi Alba.
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43’ — Equalizer: Sam Surridge headed home from Hany Mukhtar’s cross to make it 1-1.
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45+3’ — Nashville Lead: Jacob Shaffelburg fired in the rebound after Mukhtar’s shot hit the post.
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63’ — Penalty Goal: Messi converted his first penalty of the season after a handball by Mukhtar.
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67’ — Miami 3-2: Baltasar Rodriguez scored to restore Miami’s lead.
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81’ — Hat-Trick Hero: Messi curled in his third from distance, sealing the win in style.
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90+2’ — Final Touch: Telasco Segovia added a fifth for a dominant finish.
While Messi celebrated in Miami, San Diego FC made history — thrashing Portland Timbers 4-0 to claim top seed in the West in their debut season. Amahl Pellegrino and Anders Dreyer scored twice each as San Diego edged Vancouver Whitecaps on a tiebreaker after both finished on 63 points.
In other results:
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Dallas beat Vancouver 2-1, sealing a playoff berth.
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Real Salt Lake qualified after drawing 2-2 at St. Louis.
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Colorado and LAFC also drew 2-2 in a tense finale.
With Messi leading Inter Miami’s charge and the Western Conference wide open, the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs promise a showdown worthy of the global stage — and all eyes, once again, will be on Lionel Messi.