sports

Messi Fires Inter Miami to MLS Playoffs with Two Goals

Published

8 months ago

September 25, 2025

Lionel Messi MLS goals tally reaches 24 after stunning two-goal performance vs NYCFC as Inter Miami clinch playoff berth with dominant 4-0 winLionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami thrashed New York City FC 4-0 on Wednesday evening, clinching their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs in emphatic style.

Also read: Lionel Messi Inspires Inter Miami to Leagues Cup Final Comeback

Messi’s latest heroics took him to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 24 goals in just 23 matches, overtaking LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.

The Argentine continues to dazzle in his debut full season in the United States.

Inter Miami were initially on the back foot at a rain-soaked Citi Field, home to Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, but turned the tide just before half-time when 22-year-old Baltazar Rodriguez netted the opener.

Messi’s pass split the defence, and Rodriguez finished coolly past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

The match’s turning point came in the 74th minute when Messi, assisted by former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged into the box and delicately chipped the ball over Freese to make it 2-0.

Just minutes later, Luis Suárez — returning from a three-match ban for spitting at a Seattle staff member — converted a penalty for Miami’s third.

Messi wasn’t done. In the 86th minute, he added his second of the night with a sublime angled finish into the bottom corner, sealing a dominant win and underlining his MVP credentials.

New York City FC had the better of the first half, but failed to capitalise.

Thiago Martins, Aiden O’Neill, and Nicolas Fernandez all came close, with the latter hitting the post in the 29th minute. Freese also denied Messi in the 39th, but Miami’s class eventually told.

With the win, Inter Miami move to third place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind leaders Philadelphia Union but with two games in hand, keeping alive their hopes of securing the Supporters’ Shield — awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.

Messi, now with three straight games featuring both a goal and an assist, is firmly in the race for the 2025 MLS Most Valuable Player award, as he prepares to feature in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season.