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, thus securing the coveted Golden Boot award. His three goals, along with an assist, were fundamental in Inter Miami’s 5-2 victory against Nashville SC. The Argentine star demonstrated his lethality in front of the goal, scoring 29 goals in just 28 regular season matches, establishing himself as the top scorer in MLS for the first time in his career. Their closest pursuers in the goalscoring table were Denis Bouanga of LAFC and Sam Surridge of Nashville SC, both tied in second position with 24 goals. Only three players in MLS history have managed to surpass Messi’s goal mark in a regular 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 a regular season.

“It’s obvious that Messi gives us an advantage every night. There aren’t enough words to describe him,” commented Ian Fray, Inter Miami defender.

Ian Fray, Inter Miami defender

Messi’s outstanding performance propelled Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage in the playoffs. The team will face Nashville SC again in the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano highlighted Messi’s importance and his impact on the team.

“What can I say about Leo? Today he was exceptional, as always. I think he cleared up any doubts about his regular season. They will surely give him the MVP award for everything he has shown. I am happy for him because he helped us win the match again,” declared Mascherano.

Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach

Messi had already been awarded the MLS MVP award in 2024, after a season in which he scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists, leading Inter Miami to win the Supporters’ Shield and set a new league points record. Messi’s hat-trick was the second in his MLS career, the first occurring 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 in the 35th minute, from outside the area, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. In the 63rd minute, he converted a penalty to tie the score 2-2. Finally, he completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, with a shot from the center of the area, establishing a 4-2 lead for Inter Miami. Messi also assisted Telasco Segovia’s goal in stoppage time.