Lionel Messi reacts to his stellar night in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win vs Cincinnati to fuel MLS Cup hopes

Lionel Messi was the man of the hour as Inter Miami CF knocked FC Cincinnati out of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. After his commanding performance in the 4-0 victory, Messi reacted to his outing with a straightforward message on his social media.

As if soccer fans across the globe haven’t grown accustomed to it by now, Lionel Messi delivered another unstoppable night in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. With a ticket to the Eastern Conference Final on the line, the 38-year-old star turned back the clock, putting on a vintage performance for Inter Miami.

Following the game, Messi posted a clear reminder for both his teammates and the fanbase: the job is far from finished. The Herons will head into the Eastern Conference Final in sky-high spirits, but they know the mission is still ahead.

“Let’s go! Great match from the whole team against an opponent that had always been very tough for us,” Lionel Messi wrote on an Instagram post after the 4-0 victory. “One more step…”

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts.

Messi’s night

Not only did Messi score a header to open the scoring against FC Cincinnati, he made sure to put the final nail in the coffin for the Grays, who were blown out of the water at home in The Queen City.

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Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami past FC Cincinnati with a goal and three assists in 2025 MLS Cup push: Highlights and goals (0-4)

Since joining the club in Fort Lauderdale, Messi’s Herons had never beaten FC Cincinnati, nor had Messi scored against them. However, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Messi and company slayed their ghosts from the past in statement fashion.

Messi scored the game-winning goal and was directly involved on every score of the night. Finishing the night with a goal and three assists, Messi proved no climb is too steep, nor distance too far for him to lead Inter Miami. Now, the Herons will be playing for the Eastern Conference Championship. Fans are still waiting to learn who Messi and Inter Miami will be playing next in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. It will be one of No. 1 Philadelphia Union or No. 5 New York City FC.

Inter Miami can dream thanks to Messi

With Messi defying Father Time and playing in red-hot form, the Herons have every reason to believe they can hoist the first MLS Cup trophy in club history. He already carried them to a Leagues Cup title, but winning the league would elevate Inter Miami to an entirely different tier among MLS clubs.