Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi delivered a stunning performance on the final day of the MLS regular season. He scored a hat trick, which significantly bolstered his chances of clinching the 2025 MLS Golden Boot. This impressive feat led Miami to a decisive 5-2 victory over Nashville SC.
Lionel Messi’s Dominance in MLS
With this latest hat trick, Messi now boasts 29 goals in just 28 regular season matches. His performance places him on the brink of becoming MLS’ top scorer for the first time since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.
Challengers and Standings
Messi’s closest rival, Denis Bounaga of LAFC, trails by five goals. Bounaga would need to score six times against Colorado to surpass Messi. Additionally, Nashville’s Sam Surridge has tied for second place with 24 goals, following his scoring effort against Miami.
- Top Scorers in MLS Regular Season:
- Carlos Vela: 34 goals
- Josef Martínez: 31 goals
- Zlatan Ibrahimović: 30 goals
- Lionel Messi: 29 goals (currently)
League Contributions
In addition to his 29 goals, Messi also leads the league with 19 assists. He finished just shy of Carlos Vela’s record of 49 goal contributions in a single season. His overall performance helped lift Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, ensuring home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Upcoming Playoffs
Inter Miami will face Nashville SC again in the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs. Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that the first game of this three-match series will be held on Friday.
MLV MVP Aspirations
Mascherano expressed confidence in Messi’s candidacy for the MLS MVP award, which he previously secured in 2024. Messi’s potential win would mark him as the first player to earn this honor in consecutive seasons. His remarkable season last year included 20 goals and 16 assists.
Hat Trick Highlights
Messi’s hat trick against Nashville commenced with his first goal in the 35th minute from the top of the box. He scored a penalty in the 63rd minute to tie the game at 2-2, and concluded his scoring spree with a left-footed shot in the 81st minute. Messi also provided a late assist to Telasco Segovia, sealing Miami’s victory with a fifth goal in stoppage time.
With this performance, Messi not only showcased his unmatched skill but also solidified his stature in MLS history as he aims for further accolades.
