Messi scores an outstanding hat-trick, nearly matching the MLS record

At 38 years old, Lionel Messi continues to demonstrate his superstar caliber by shining brilliantly with a hat-trick and an assist, leading Inter Miami to a 5-2 thrashing of Nashville SC in the season's final match.

With four goal involvements in this game, Messi raised his season total to 48 contributions (29 goals, 19 assists), just one shy of Carlos Vela’s all-time MLS record (2019 season with LAFC).

The Florida team also wrapped up the 2025 season with 81 goals, becoming only the third team in MLS history to surpass 80 goals. This marks Inter Miami’s highest-scoring season ever, breaking their previous record by exactly two goals. Across the league, the 81 goals trail only LA Galaxy (1998) and LAFC (2019), who scored 85 goals each.

Entering the match with 26 goals and 18 assists, Messi was the leading contender for the Golden Boot. His hat-trick against Nashville virtually secured the award before his closest rival, Denis Bouanga, took the field in Colorado Rapids’ final game.

Messi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a trademark strike from outside the box after a late run. He doubled his tally with a penalty in the 63rd minute and completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute. Not stopping there, the Argentine superstar assisted Telasco Segovia in stoppage time to seal a 5-2 victory.

According to Sofascore, the Argentine star completed his hat-trick with only seven shots, four on target, and one hitting the woodwork. Beyond scoring, Messi provided one assist with an expected assist (xA) value of 2.02, the highest in the match. Overall, M10 delivered five key passes, created two clear-cut chances, completed 88% of his passes (44/50), including 34 successful passes in the opponent’s half. In terms of creativity and efficiency, Messi was perfect with 2/2 long passes and 10/10 passes in his own half all accurate. He also attempted five dribbles, succeeding twice, showcasing his dominant ball control with 68 touches.

With 29 goals, Messi is the first player since Carlos Vela (2019) to score more than 23 goals in an MLS season, far surpassing last year’s Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke’s 23 goals. In assists, Messi leads with 19, outpacing Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), who still has one game left to play.

This victory also ensures Inter Miami will finish the season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They will face Nashville at least twice more in the first round of the playoffs (best-of-three format).

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