Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance on the final day of the 2025 MLS regular season, scoring a hat-trick to clinch his first Golden Boot award in Major League Soccer. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner led Inter Miami to a commanding 5-2 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday, October 19, capping off a record-breaking campaign that has redefined excellence in American soccer.

Messi's three goals against Nashville brought his season tally to 29 goals in just 28 regular-season appearances, a remarkable strike rate that saw him finish five goals clear of his nearest competitors. LAFC's Denis Bouanga and Nashville's Sam Surridge both ended the season tied for second place with 24 goals each, unable to match the Argentine's prolific output.

The 38-year-old's dominant performance went beyond just goals. Messi also contributed an assist in the victory, showcasing the all-around brilliance that has made him a global icon. His 29 goals combined with a league-leading 19 assists gave him 48 total goal contributions for the season, falling just one short of Carlos Vela's MLS record of 49 set in 2019.

What makes Messi's achievement even more impressive is the nature of his goals. An astonishing 28 of his 29 strikes came from open play, setting a new MLS record for the most open-play goals in a single season. This statistic underscores his ability to create and finish chances through pure footballing skill rather than relying on set pieces.

Messi's 29-goal haul places him fourth on the all-time list for goals in a single MLS regular season. Only Carlos Vela with 34 goals in 2019, Josef Martinez with 31 in 2018, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 30 in 2019 have scored more. The company Messi keeps highlights the historic nature of his first full season in Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, who played alongside Messi for both Argentina and Barcelona, was effusive in his praise after the match. The former midfielder simply called his star player the MVP, a sentiment widely shared across the league. Messi is expected to claim his second consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award when it is announced in the coming weeks.

The victory on Decision Day saw Inter Miami finish third in the Eastern Conference, setting up a first-round playoff rematch against the same Nashville SC side they defeated so convincingly. As the playoffs begin, Inter Miami will look to Messi to continue his golden touch and lead them to MLS Cup glory, the one trophy that has eluded the club since his arrival. With form like this, few would bet against the Argentine legend adding another chapter to his extraordinary career.