Messi Inspires Inter Miami Comeback With Stunning Hat-Trick Against Nashville

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass on October 18, 2025, scoring a sensational hat-trick to lead Inter Miami to a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC in the final match of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season at GEODIS Park. The Argentine icon’s performance, which included an assist, secured his first MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals in 28 matches, outpacing Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga by five goals, and positioned him as the frontrunner for a second consecutive MLS MVP award. Inter Miami’s triumph clinched third place in the Eastern Conference, setting up a rematch with sixth-seeded Nashville in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs starting October 24. Coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s brilliance, stating, “Today he was exceptional, as he usually is,” while emphasising his pivotal role in the comeback win.

The match began with Messi opening the scoring in the 34th minute, receiving a pass from Jordi Alba and firing a precise left-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner. Nashville responded swiftly, with Sam Surridge heading in his 24th goal of the season in the 43rd minute off a Hany Mukhtar cross, followed by Jacob Shaffelburg’s rebound strike in first-half stoppage time for a 2-1 lead. Inter Miami struggled initially, as Mascherano noted a lack of first-half intensity, but flipped the script after the break. Messi levelled the score in the 63rd minute with his first penalty kick of the season after a handball call against Mukhtar, coolly slotting past goalkeeper Joe Willis. Baltasar Rodriguez then put Miami ahead 3-2 in the 67th minute before Messi sealed his 60th career hat-trick in the 81st with a curling shot through traffic. Telasco Segovia capped the rout in stoppage time, assisted by Messi.

Messi’s 29 goals and 19 assists yielded 48 goal contributions, just one shy of Carlos Vela’s MLS record of 49 set in 2019. His 28 open-play goals set a single-season league record, and his 1.03 goals-per-game average ranks among the highest for Golden Boot winners since 2005. This was Messi’s second MLS hat-trick, following his October 19, 2024, performance against New England Revolution, and his 19th of the 2025 season, as reported by CBS News and ESPN. Inter Miami finished with a 19-7-8 record, scoring a league-high 81 goals, while Nashville ended at 16-12-6. The match marked the final regular-season appearances for Miami’s Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, adding emotional weight to the victory.

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The result underscores Messi’s transformative impact since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, having led them to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and now a strong playoff position. Social media buzzed with praise, with fans on X calling him “the GOAT” and marvelling at his 38-year-old prowess. Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan admitted defensive lapses allowed Messi to exploit spaces, while Mascherano credited the team’s second-half risk-taking. As Inter Miami prepares for the playoffs, Messi’s form—bolstered by a reported contract extension—signals a formidable challenge for the MLS Cup, with Nashville facing an uphill battle in the upcoming rematch.

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