After securing the MLS Golden Boot trophy, Lionel Messi notched two goals and provided one assist, leading Inter Miami CF to a convincing 3-1 win against Nashville SC in their opening match of the Round 1 playoff series at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
With this triumph, Inter Miami kicked off the best-of-three series on a positive note, aiming for further success as they head to Nashville on November 1 to pursue advancement in the postseason. Tadeo Allende contributed by scoring in the first half, which coach Javier Mascherano praised as a collective team effort.
“At this stage, every player is crucial. To reach our fullest potential, we will require everyone, as this is the reality. Our goal is to be prepared for whatever challenges arise,” Mascherano stated.
Prior to the match, MLS commissioner Don Garber honored Messi with the award for the top scorer of the 2025 season, emphasizing his significant impact on the league.
Messi secured the Golden Boot by netting 29 goals in 28 matches, marking his first time winning the award since joining Inter Miami in 2023.
“I’m here tonight not just to be at the game, but to present Leo with the Golden Boot,” Garber mentioned. “I don’t think we ever imagined Leo would contribute to this club, this city, and this league in the way he has.”
The award presentation followed closely after Inter Miami declared that Messi signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him in South Florida until the 2028 season.
“He has redefined the trajectory of Major League Soccer, even though we were already doing well. Having him for three more years will be another tremendous advantage,” Garber remarked.
“Hopefully, it will be a gift that keeps on giving. It has been a thrill to watch him play and to see how happy he is in Miami and in the United States.”
Messi, a frontrunner for his second consecutive league MVP title, also tied for the league lead in assists, with a total of 19.
Since Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in July 2023, he has inspired the team to win the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy that year, followed by the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and has set the MLS record for the most points in a season.
Messi, who won the 2024 MVP award, is a candidate for the 2025 edition as well. If he secures the award again, he will be the first player in MLS history to win it in consecutive seasons.
This new contract allows Messi to potentially remain with Inter Miami into his early 40s. He continues to be the most prominent figure in soccer; ticket revenue for MLS reached a record high this year, Inter Miami’s valuation has reportedly doubled since his arrival to about $1.2 billion, and he has led the league in jersey sales annually since mid-2023.
“I believe he’s the unicorn of unicorns,” Garber said. “There’s something unique about how he thinks about the game. His intensity and desire to win are what make him the greatest of all time. Many players are competitive, but he has that special quality that keeps him focused on what he needs to do to win.”
Garber also praised Inter Miami’s approach to announcing Messi’s signing. The club revealed it via a social media video showing Messi signing his contract, then panning out to reveal he was sitting on the field of the team’s new stadium, set to open next year near Miami International Airport.
“It reflects their class and smarts,” Garber noted.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.