Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi finished the MLS regular season with a hat trick on Saturday, securing the 2025 MLS Golden Boot. Messi’s three goals, along with an assist, powered Miami to a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC, bringing his season tally to 29 goals in 28 matches — MLS’ top scorer for the first time.
Messi’s nearest competitors, Denis Bouanga (LAFC) and Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), finished with 24 goals each. Only three players in MLS history — Carlos Vela (34), Josef Martínez (31), and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30) — have scored more goals in a regular season than Messi’s 29. He also led the league in assists with 19, leaving him one shy of Vela’s record 49 goal contributions.
“It’s so obvious that [Messi] gives us an advantage every night,” Inter Miami defender Ian Fray said.
Messi’s performance helped Inter Miami finish third in the Eastern Conference, earning home-field advantage for the playoffs. They will face Nashville SC again in the first round, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, pending official MLS confirmation.
Coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi for his remarkable season, suggesting he is a clear frontrunner for the 2025 MLS MVP, which would make him the first player to win it in consecutive seasons.
Messi’s goals came at crucial moments: the opener in the 35th minute, a penalty conversion in the 63rd minute, and a decisive finish in the 81st minute, with an additional assist to Telasco Segovia in stoppage time.
This hat trick was Messi’s second in MLS, after one against New England Revolution in the final match of the 2024 season.
