As is custom, Lionel Messi continues to electrify with Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar opened the scoring against Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs with a great header, giving his side the crucial early advantage.
The goal came after a beautiful sequence of passing: a move involving Rodrigo De Paul, Messi himself, and Luis Suarez. The former Barcelona striker then served a perfect cross into the box where Messi, finding space, headed the ball home to give Inter Miami the 1-0 lead.
Messi is on an unstoppable scoring tear. The Argentine maestro recently netted a hat trick against Nashville during the regular season and, prior to that, bagged a brace against Atlanta United in the same competition.
These goals ultimately secured him the MLS Golden Boot with 29 tallies, comfortably surpassing Sam Surridge’s 24, and making him the first player in Inter Miami history to win the award.
Furthermore, Messi is the strong favorite to claim the league MVP award, a feat that would make him the first player in MLS history to win the honor in back-to-back seasons.
Messi fantastic brace
Lionel Messi scores his second goal of the match to make it 3-0 for Inter Miami in the 90+6th minute, delivering a powerful left-footed strike from close range to the center of the goal, effectively sealing the team’s victory in Game 1. Should Inter Miami secure a victory in Game 2 this Saturday, November 1st, Messi and his teammates would punch their ticket to the next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The incredible season of Lionel Messi
So far this season, Lionel Messi has accumulated an astonishing 39 goals and 19 assists, totaling his appearances across all competitions, including the MLS regular season, Concacaf Champions Cup, Club World Cup, Leagues Cup, and the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Messi has been a hugely important player for Inter Miami since his arrival in mid-2023. In total, the Argentine superstar has played 83 matches for the Florida club, where he has scored 73 goals and registered 37 assists. Crucially, he also delivered the first two pieces of silverware in the club’s history: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield.