NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — October 19, 2025 — Argentine superstar Lionel Messi produced another masterclass on Saturday night, scoring a hat-trick and adding an assist to lead Inter Miami CF to a 5–2 comeback victory over Nashville SC in their final Major League Soccer (MLS) regular-season match at Geodis Park. The win sealed Messi’s first-ever MLS Golden Boot, as he finished the season with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 matches.

The 38-year-old captain’s performance powered Miami to a third straight win, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, where they will face No. 6 Nashville once again in the opening round.

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Messi Magic Lifts Miami After Slow Start

Miami struggled early, failing to record a single shot for more than half an hour as Nashville dominated possession. But when Jordi Alba found Messi in the 34th minute, the Argentinian legend sliced through three defenders before curling a left-footed strike into the bottom corner to level the score at 1–1.

Nashville regained control before halftime, with Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg scoring to make it 2–1 at the break. Yet, Miami’s second-half response was emphatic.

After Andy Najar was penalized for handball in the 63rd minute, Messi calmly converted the ensuing penalty kick, sending goalkeeper Joe Willis the wrong way to tie the game 2–2. Just four minutes later, Baltasar Rodriguez capitalized on a rebound from Luis Suárez’s shot to put Miami ahead for the first time.

From that point, Messi took complete control.

In the 81st minute, he fired a trademark left-footed shot into the lower-left corner to complete his hat-trick and extend Miami’s lead to 4–2. Deep in stoppage time, Messi assisted Telasco Segovia for Miami’s fifth goal, sealing a dominant comeback.

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Messi Claims First MLS Golden Boot

The result not only cemented Miami’s momentum heading into the postseason but also confirmed Lionel Messi as MLS’s top scorer for 2025. His 29 goals in 28 matches edged out Denis Bouanga (LAFC) and Sam Surridge (Nashville), who both finished with 24.

Messi also topped the assists chart with 19, becoming the first player in MLS history to lead the league in both goals and assists in a single season.

“It’s a joy to help the team and to keep competing,” Messi said post-match. “We have great chemistry, and we’re hungry to win more in the playoffs.”

Miami’s goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo made five key saves, while Willis recorded four stops for Nashville.

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Nashville’s Missed Chances

Despite a strong first half, Nashville SC (16-12-6, 54 points) could not withstand Miami’s relentless attack after the break. The loss dropped them to sixth in the conference, setting up a quick rematch with Miami in the first round of the playoffs.

Nashville’s star Hany Mukhtar provided both assists on their goals but was largely contained in the second half by Miami’s resurgent midfield led by Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi.

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Looking Ahead: Miami’s Playoff Promise

Inter Miami, led by Gerardo “Tata” Martino, enter the MLS Cup Playoffs as one of the most dangerous teams in the league. The Messi-Suárez-Alba trio has transformed the club’s attack, while Rodriguez’s emergence has given the team new energy down the stretch.

Miami’s 65 points mark their best finish in franchise history — a dramatic turnaround from their struggles prior to Messi’s arrival in 2023.

With the playoffs set to begin next week, all eyes will once again be on Lionel Messi as he chases his first MLS Cup title.