Messi wins MLS Golden Boot with hat-trick and leads Inter Miami

Messi Crowned with the MLS Golden Boot 2025

Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami, concluded the 2025 MLS regular season with a hat-trick, securing the coveted Golden Boot award. Messi’s three goals, added to an assist, were fundamental in Inter Miami’s 5-2 victory against Nashville SC. The Argentinian star demonstrated his lethality by scoring 29 goals in just 28 regular season games, establishing himself as the MLS top scorer for the first time. His closest pursuers were Denis Bouanga of LAFC and Sam Surridge of Nashville SC, both tied for second place with 24 goals. Only three players have managed to surpass Messi’s goal total in a regular MLS season: Carlos Vela (34), Josef Martínez (31), and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30). In addition to his goals, Messi led the league in assists, with 19, finishing just one point shy of Vela’s record of 49 goal contributions in an MLS regular season.

It’s obvious that Messi gives us an advantage every night. There aren’t enough words to describe what he does for us.

Ian Fray, Inter Miami defender

Lionel Messi celebrated a hat-trick in Inter Miami’s victory over Nashville.Messi’s performances propelled Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage in the playoffs. The team will face Nashville again in the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano mentioned in a press conference that the first match of the three-game series will be played on Friday, although the official schedule will be announced on Sunday. Mascherano has insisted that Messi has done enough on the field to be awarded the MLS 2025 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, which would make him the first player to win this award in consecutive seasons.

What can I say about Leo? The truth is that, today, as always, he was exceptional.

Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach

Messi won the 2024 MLS MVP trophy after recording 20 goals and 16 assists, inspiring Inter Miami to win the Supporters’ Shield and break the record for most points in a season. Messi’s hat-trick was the second in MLS. The first was in Inter Miami’s 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution on the last day of the 2024 regular season. His first goal against Nashville came from outside the area in the 35th minute, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi scored a penalty in the 63rd minute to tie the score 2-2. He completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, scoring from the center of the area with a left-footed shot, extending Inter Miami’s lead to 4-2. Messi also assisted on Telasco Segovia’s goal in stoppage time.