Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025: Magic Messi steals the show happily

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 match on September 24, 2025, at Citi Field left Queens buzzing, as Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass, scoring a brace and assisting in Inter Miami’s 4-0 demolition of New York City FC. With five MLS regular-season games left, the Herons showcased their championship potential, led by Messi’s magic and Luis Suárez’s return from suspension.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025: Messi’s Brace Powers Herons to 4-0 Rout

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 clash saw 30,000 fans erupt as Inter Miami dominated, despite a competitive first half. Messi set the tone in the 14th minute, threading a pinpoint through-ball to Baltasar Rodríguez, who slotted past Matt Freese for a 1-0 lead. NYCFC, generating 0.8 expected goals (xG), pressed through Santiago Rodríguez but squandered two chances. Inter Miami’s 58% possession and 1.4 xG kept them in control, with Messi’s 92% pass accuracy (48/52) orchestrating play. Fans chanted, “Messi! Messi!” with one tweeting, “Leo’s turning Citi Field into his playground!”

Messi struck in the 74th minute, chipping Freese with a delicate finish after Sergio Busquets’ through-ball, making it 2-0. Suárez converted a penalty in the 83rd minute, earned by Rodrigo De Paul’s run, before Messi sealed the rout with an 86th-minute solo goal, dribbling past Yeimar Gómez Andrade and curling into the top corner. The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 scoreline flattered Inter Miami, but their 2.7 xG to NYCFC’s 0.9 reflected their clinical edge.

Player Ratings: Messi Shines, Suárez Returns

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 player ratings highlight Messi’s dominance and team synergy:

• Oscar Ustari (6/10): Made one key save on Alonso Martínez’s 32nd-minute shot but faced minimal pressure, with NYCFC’s three shots off-target.

• Jordi Alba (6/10): Created two key passes but lacked sharpness in overlaps, completing 85% of passes (45/53).

• Noah Allen (7/10): Composed with 90% pass accuracy (50/55), though a 27th-minute error nearly cost a goal.

• Maximiliano Falcón (6/10): Chaotic early, losing three duels, but settled, winning 70% of aerials.

• Ian Fray (7/10): Solid on the right, winning five duels and drawing three fouls, with 88% pass accuracy (42/48).

• Sergio Busquets (9/10): Marshalled midfield with 95% pass accuracy (60/63), assisting Messi’s chip with a perfect pass.

• Rodrigo De Paul (7/10): Dynamic with 78 touches, drawing the penalty and creating two chances.

• Baltasar Rodríguez (7/10): Scored the opener, handling pressure from two defenders, and tracked back effectively.

• Matteo Silvetti (6/10): Quiet with 21 touches but showed promise in his MLS debut.

• Lionel Messi (9/10): Ran the show with two goals, one assist, and three key passes, earning man of the match honors.

• Luis Suárez (7/10): Buried the penalty in his first game back, generating 0.8 xG from two shots.

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 ratings reflect a team firing on all cylinders, with Messi’s 1.6 xG and Busquets’ control pivotal.

Inter Miami’s Playoff Push

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 win lifted Inter Miami to sixth in the Eastern Conference with 51 points, three behind leaders Columbus Crew. With five games left, their 4-0 rout—following a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders on September 16—signals playoff readiness. Messi’s 29 goals and 14 assists in 2025, including nine in the Leagues Cup, keep him in the MLS MVP race, while Suárez’s return adds firepower. The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 performance, with 18 shots to NYCFC’s five, showcases their attack, though defensive lapses (0.9 xG conceded) remain a concern.

NYCFC, dropping to ninth with 42 points, struggled without Hannes Wolf, injured in the Leagues Cup. Their next game against Charlotte FC on September 28, 2025, is crucial, while Inter Miami face D.C. United. The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 result sets up a potential playoff clash, with Inter Miami’s 2.4 xG average leading the MLS.

Messi’s Legacy and MLS Impact

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 match underscores Messi’s transformative impact. His 62 goals and 30 assists in 76 Inter Miami games have driven $300 million in 2025 revenue, per the Miami Herald. At 38, Messi’s three-year extension to 2028 ensures his MLS legacy, with fans chanting, “Leo’s the GOAT!” His 2026 World Cup hint—potentially his last—adds urgency, as he chases Chris Wondolowski’s MLS record (171 goals).

Conclusion: Messi’s Masterclass Sets the Tone

The Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 showcased Messi’s brilliance, with a brace and assist propelling Inter Miami to a 4-0 win. As the playoffs loom, the Herons, led by Messi and Suárez, are unstoppable when clicking. Can they claim the MLS Cup? Share your thoughts on the Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025 below!

FAQs: Lionel Messi Inter Miami vs NYCFC 2025

1. What was the score of Inter Miami vs NYCFC?
   Inter Miami won 4-0 on September 24, 2025, at Citi Field.

2. How did Messi perform against NYCFC?
   Messi scored twice (74th, 86th minutes) and assisted Rodríguez’s opener.

3. Who else scored for Inter Miami?
   Baltasar Rodríguez (14th minute) and Luis Suárez (83rd, penalty) scored.

4. What’s Inter Miami’s standing after the win?
   They’re sixth in the Eastern Conference with 51 points, three behind Columbus Crew.

5. What’s next for Inter Miami?
   They face D.C. United on September 28, 2025, in the MLS regular season.

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