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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi capped off his Major League Soccer regular season in spectacular fashion on Saturday, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to lead the club to a 5-2 win over Nashville SC and secure their place in the playoffs.
The Argentine icon’s treble took his tally to an astonishing 29 goals in 28 matches, earning him the MLS Golden Boot ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who both finished with 24 goals.
Messi’s dazzling display also strengthened his case for a second consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award, as Inter Miami climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference. They will now face Nashville once again in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, beginning on October 24.
“What can I say about Leo?” said Inter coach Javier Mascherano. “Today, he was exceptional, as he usually is. Surely he will be named MVP again for what he’s done this season. I’m happy for him because, once again, he helped us win.”
Nashville, who had created several early chances, fell behind in the 34th minute when Messi fired a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box after linking up with Jordi Alba.
But the visitors turned things around before halftime, with Sam Surridge heading home from close range before Jacob Shaffelburg converted a rebound to make it 2-1.
Messi levelled the contest in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot after a handball by Hany Mukhtar, before Baltasar Rodriguez put Inter 3-2 ahead just minutes later.
Messi then completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, curling a trademark finish through traffic into the bottom corner. Telasco Segovia sealed the emphatic win in stoppage time.
“In the first half, we lacked intensity and ideas,” Mascherano admitted. “But in the second, we played higher up the pitch, took more risks, and finished the game at a great level.”
In the Western Conference, expansion side San Diego FC made history by finishing top in their debut season after a 4-0 thrashing of Portland Timbers, while Dallas defeated Vancouver 2-1 to clinch a playoff spot.
Dallas and Vancouver will meet again in the opening round, while Real Salt Lake also booked their place following a 2-2 draw at St Louis.
