Messi’s Hat Trick Fuels Inter Miami’s 5-2 Win, Securing 3rd Seed

When Lionel Andrés Messi, the 38‑year‑old Argentine forward, stitched together a second‑career MLS hat trick and an assist at GEODIS Park on October 18, 2025, Inter Miami CF turned a tense Decision Day showdown into a 5‑2 triumph that vaulted them into the Eastern Conference’s third seed.

The drama unfolded under a frosty Nashville sky, but the heat came from the pitch. Inter Miami CF entered the match as the league’s late‑season dark horse, while Nashville SC was fighting for a top‑six finish. Both clubs had already clinched playoff spots, so the stakes were pure pride and seeding advantage.

Why this match mattered

Decision Day – the MLS term for the final round of regular‑season fixtures – is where every goal can rewrite the postseason map. A win for Miami meant a three‑place jump, pushing them ahead of rivals like the New York Red Bulls, while a loss could have dropped them to the fourth seed, costing home‑field advantage in the opening round.

Historically, Miami’s attack has leaned heavily on Messi’s magic. Last season, his 28‑goal haul was enough to keep the franchise afloat after a shaky inaugural year. This year, the club’s ambition shifted: they wanted to break the 80‑goal barrier, a feat achieved only by LA Galaxy (1998) and New York Red Bulls (2021). The 81‑goal total they reached after this game cemented their place in that exclusive club.

Line‑up tweaks and early rhythm

Head coach Javier Mascherano shuffled three starters compared with the weekend’s draw against Orlando City. He handed the gloves to rookie Rocco Ríos Novo, who made five saves on seven shots – a solid debut that earned an 8.3 player rating from Sports Illustrated.

Miami’s back four – Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcón, Gonzalo Luján and veteran Jordi Alba – held a compact shape, but the real spark came from the midfield trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets and the 21‑year‑old Tadeo Allende, who kept feeding Messi in the final third.

Meanwhile, Nashville set up a traditional four‑back with captain Walker Zimmerman anchoring the defense, while a mix of experienced heads and youthful legs (Hany Mukhtar, Jacob Shaffelburg) tried to disrupt Miami’s rhythm.

Goal‑by‑goal breakdown

The first real chance arrived in the 34th minute when Messi slipped between the lines and unleashed a curling strike from just outside the box. Jordi Alba’s pinpoint pass found the Argentine’s right foot, and the ball curled into the top corner – Messi’s 27th goal of the season.

Sam Surridge answered for Nashville eight minutes later, heading in a cross from Hany Mukhtar to make it 1‑1. The visitors kept the pressure and, in first‑half stoppage time (45+6'), Jacob Shaffelburg pounced on a rebound off Mukhtar’s foot, nudging Nashville ahead 2‑1.

The tide turned at 62 minutes when a handball by Andy Nájar awarded Miami a penalty. Messi stepped up, cool as ever, and slotted it home to level the scores.

Four minutes later, a Messi‑López exchange (thanks to an assist from Messi) saw Baltasar Rodríguez fire a low shot into the net, giving Miami a 3‑2 lead.

The hat‑trick was sealed in the 81st minute. Ian Fray, who had come on at halftime, slipped the ball into Messi’s path; the Argentine’s left‑footed strike from the edge of the box rapped home his third of the night.

Finally, in first‑minute stoppage time (90+1'), Telasco Segovia wrapped up the scoreline, tapping in a cross that had been forged by Messi and Fray alike. Nashville’s hopes dwindled as the whistle blew.

Stat sheet and standout performers

• Messi finished the season with 29 goals and 19 assists – 48 goal contributions, second‑most in MLS history.
• Inter Miami recorded 81 goals total, joining the elite 80‑goal club.
• Río Novo logged a 92% save percentage on his MLS debut.
• Eddi Tagseth (Nashville) covered a staggering 7.02 miles, the most of any player on the field.
• The match featured 11 yellow cards across both squads, reflecting the high‑stakes tension.

After the game, Mascherano praised his squad: “We knew the pressure, but the boys showed character. Messi’s brilliance gave us the edge, and the whole team responded.”

Messi, ever the modestist, smiled and said, “Every goal is for the fans. Tonight we gave them a show.”

Implications for the playoffs

With the win, Inter Miami secured the Eastern Conference’s third seed, guaranteeing a home game for the first round of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Their next opponent? The very team they just humbled – Nashville SC, now the sixth seed.

Analysts expect Miami to be the favorite. Their balanced attack, now proven capable of scoring 81 goals, pairs with a defense that has tightened under Mascherano’s watchful eye. Nashville, however, will look to the midfield, especially Mukhtar, to spark a comeback.

Messi’s golden boot lead also widened to five goals over Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, making the race for the league’s top scorer another subplot as the playoffs approach.

Messi’s MLS journey in perspective

When Messi arrived in Miami in July 2023, skeptics wondered if the Argentine legend could adapt to a league known for its physicality and travel demands. His first season ended with 12 goals and 10 assists, enough to keep the franchise afloat financially but not enough to silence doubters.

The following year, he exploded for 28 goals, leading the club to its first playoff appearance. This season’s hat‑trick marks his second in MLS history – the first came on October 19, 2024, against the New England Revolution, a 6‑2 victory that announced his arrival as a dominant force.

Off the field, Messi’s presence has boosted ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and global viewership. Inter Miami’s average attendance leapt from 12,000 in 2023 to over 22,000 in 2025, a testament to his marketability.

What’s next?

The first‑round series against Nashville will be a best‑of‑three, with the exact dates and kickoff times pending a league announcement. If Miami wins the opening match, they’ll take a 1‑0 series lead and could clinch the conference semifinals at home, setting up a potential showdown with either DC United or New York Red Bulls.

Fans hope the Argentine’s fire won’t burn out. “We’ve seen his stamina this season,” said pundit Jorge Lobo of ESPN FC. “If he stays healthy, Miami could be the first club outside the traditional powerhouses to lift the MLS Cup in a decade.”