Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025: Magic Messi wins the golden boot 2025

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 kicked off in style, as Lionel Messi scored twice to propel Inter Miami to a commanding 3-1 victory over Nashville SC in the opening game of their best-of-three round one series on October 25, 2025, at DRV PNK Stadium. The Argentine legend, fresh off winning the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals, struck in the 19th minute and deep into stoppage time, with Tadeo Allende adding a second-half header.

Messi MLS Cup Playoffs 2025: Inter Miami Star Scores Twice in 3-1 Win Over Nashville

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 opener saw Inter Miami dominate from the start, with 62% possession and 2.8 expected goals (xG) to Nashville’s 1.1. Before kickoff, MLS Commissioner Don Garber presented Messi with the Golden Boot for his 29 goals in 28 regular-season games, the highest since Carlos Vela’s 34 in 2019. Messi wasted no time proving his worth, scoring in the 19th minute with a diving header off a Luis Suárez assist. The move began with Sergio Busquets winning the ball near the sideline, passing to Rodrigo De Paul, who found Messi charging forward. Messi laid it off to Suárez on the right, then sprinted to meet Suárez’s return cross for a 1-0 lead.

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 intensity rose in the 62nd minute, as Ian Fray’s pinpoint cross found Tadeo Allende, who headed past Joe Willis for 2-0. Nashville pulled one back in the 78th minute via Hany Mukhtar’s penalty after a VAR review, but Messi sealed the win in the 90+9th minute. Jordi Alba’s cross was fumbled by Willis, leaving Messi to slot home for 3-1. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 brace, Messi’s 31st and 32nd goals in 2025, gave Inter Miami a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 in Nashville on November 1, 2025.

Inter Miami’s Tactical Mastery

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 showcased Gerardo Martino’s 4-3-3, with Busquets anchoring midfield (92% pass accuracy, 68/74) and De Paul dictating tempo (3 key passes). Inter Miami’s 14 shots to Nashville’s 7 and 2.8 xG reflected their control, with Suárez (8/10) assisting Messi’s opener and creating two chances. Allende’s goal, his fifth in 2025, highlighted Fray’s overlapping runs. Nashville’s 4-2-3-1, led by Mukhtar (7/10), generated 1.1 xG but struggled with 38% possession. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 win, Inter Miami’s 21st in 2025, positions them for a sweep, with odds at +120.

De Paul, on loan from Atlético Madrid, praised the team: “We know playoffs are tough, so we wanted to start with a win at home. The team showed intensity and focus.” The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 performance, with 612 passes to Nashville’s 289, underscores Inter Miami’s growth since Messi’s 2023 arrival.

Messi’s Golden Boot and Contract Extension

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 triumph came a day after Messi signed a three-year extension through 2028, announced on October 24, 2025, keeping him in Florida until age 41. The deal, worth $65 million annually including equity, cements his MLS legacy. His 29 regular-season goals, 28 from open play, broke MLS records for non-penalty strikes and multi-goal games (10). The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 brace adds to his 880 career goals (114 for Argentina) and 389 assists (60 international), with his 1.03 goals-per-game average second only to Vela’s 1.10 in 2019.

Messi’s 2025 form—29 goals, 14 assists in 30 MLS games—has Inter Miami atop the East with 68 points. His Leagues Cup hat-trick against Seattle Sounders on September 7, 2025, and two assists in a 6-0 friendly over Puerto Rico on October 15, 2025, broke Neymar’s international assists record. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 performance, rated 9/10, fuels hopes for his first MLS Cup, with fans posting, “Messi’s unstoppable in playoffs!”

Nashville’s Resilience and Challenges

Nashville SC, fifth in the East with 52 points, showed fight in the Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025. Mukhtar’s penalty, his 12th goal in 2025, came after a foul on Sam Surridge, but Willis’s error (6/10) cost them. Coach Gary Smith’s 4-2-3-1 generated 1.1 xG, with Surridge (7/10) winning five duels. Nashville’s 38% possession and 7 shots highlight defensive lapses, conceding 2.8 xG. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 loss puts them on the back foot, with Game 2 at GEODIS Park crucial for a Game 3 decider on November 8, 2025.

Inter Miami’s Path to MLS Cup Glory

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 series lead positions Inter Miami for the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Columbus Crew-Orlando City winner. Their 20-4-4 regular-season record, with 3.2 xG per game, makes them favorites at +150 for the MLS Cup. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 win, before 25,000 fans, boosts morale, with Martino stating, “We’re growing as a team—that’s key in playoffs.” Inter Miami’s depth—Suárez (18 goals), Diego Gómez (7 assists)—complements Messi’s brilliance.

Messi’s Legacy and 2026 World Cup

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 brace adds to Messi’s unparalleled legacy. With 44 major trophies, eight Ballon d’Ors, and a 2022 World Cup, his MLS impact—boosting revenue to $300 million—redefines the league. His 2028 extension ensures longevity, with 2026 World Cup ambitions as Argentina’s captain. The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 performance, with 1.6 xG created, positions him for MLS MVP, with odds at -200.

Conclusion: Messi’s Playoff Magic Begins

The Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 opener showcased Messi’s genius, with two goals securing Inter Miami’s 3-1 win and a 1-0 series lead. As they eye the MLS Cup, Messi’s Golden Boot and extension signal a new era. Can Inter Miami claim the title? Share your thoughts on the Messi MLS Cup playoffs 2025 below!

🇦🇷🇺🇸 Leo Messi wins MLS Golden Boot after 29 goals in 28 games during the regular season. pic.twitter.com/sYOGPslUwX

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 25, 2025

FAQs: Messi MLS Cup Playoffs 2025

How many goals did Messi score in the playoff opener?
Messi scored two goals in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win.
When is Game 2 of the series?
November 1, 2025, in Nashville.
Who else scored for Inter Miami?
Tadeo Allende scored in the 62nd minute.
What’s Messi’s contract status?
He signed a three-year extension through 2028 on October 24, 2025.
Who did Nashville score through?
Hany Mukhtar scored a penalty in the 78th minute.