Messi ready for Inter Miami: Seeks MLS Golden Boot and MVP 2025

Technical director Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for Inter Miami’s final 2025 MLS regular season match against Nashville SC on Saturday. The captain will be looking to secure the Golden Boot. Messi arrives at the match after participating with Argentina on Tuesday night against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium.

Yesterday [Messi and Rodrigo De Paul] trained with us, they did a good part. Today they will train with us completely.

Javier Mascherano

Mascherano added:

Beyond playing on Tuesday, Messi played with us on Saturday and De Paul didn’t play many minutes against Venezuela, so this was not an international window of much wear and tear.

Javier Mascherano

The coach explained that, since the match was at home, the players were able to rest after the game and didn’t have to travel. “Normally, when you have four days between matches, you can arrive rested and in good condition. We will talk today after training,” he said.

Mascherano also informed that “almost everyone is available” for Saturday’s match, except David Ruiz and Allen Obando, who are still out due to injuries. The final match against Nashville could be key for Messi to win the MLS 2025 Golden Boot and allow Inter Miami to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs. Messi leads the Golden Boot table with 26 goals, although Los Angeles FC striker Denis Bouanga follows him with 24 goals. The Inter Miami captain has not yet won the league’s Golden Boot since joining MLS in the summer of 2023, despite being close to achieving the award in 2024. In addition to goals, Messi also leads the assists for the 2025 MLS season with 18, which improves his chances of securing the league MVP. Mascherano insists that “there is no doubt” that Messi deserves the trophy, which would make him the first player to win the MLS MVP twice in a row, after lifting the 2024 edition of the award. Messi announces the youth tournament ‘Messi Cup’ for December Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami Is Manchester United too big to fail? The answer might surprise you

There is no doubt [that Messi is the MVP of the league]. Even with the disadvantage of playing fewer games than others, it’s the influence he’s had on this team.

Javier Mascherano

The technician continued saying:

Measuring Messi only by statistics, which can be done, is the best, but it goes beyond numbers. He reflects on the field the importance he has in this team and what he does so that everyone who sees him enjoys it.

Javier Mascherano

Inter Miami has already qualified for the league playoffs, but will know their first-round opponent after the final day of the regular season on Saturday night.