Lionel Messi’s impact on Inter Miami has reached historic levels, and his latest performance in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs is another chapter in a career filled with unprecedented achievements.
The 38-year-old delivered a masterclass at TQL Stadium on Sunday night, scoring once and registering three assists in Inter Miami’s dominant 4–0 victory over FC Cincinnati. The win sends the Herons to their first-ever Eastern Conference final—and cements Messi’s stature as the undisputed star of the 2025 postseason.
A New MLS Playoff Benchmark
With his four goal contributions against Cincinnati, Messi now sits atop the leaderboard for the most goal contributions in a single MLS Cup playoffs campaign. Through just four postseason matches under Javier Mascherano, he has produced an extraordinary six goals and six assists, after already dismantling Nashville SC in the Round One best-of-three series with five goals and three assists.
This latest display also pushed Messi to another monumental career milestone: 1,300 goal contributions across 1,135 matches for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami, and the Argentina national team. Few players in football history have approached such numbers, and even fewer have maintained this level of influence at nearly 40 years old.
Controlling the Night
Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute, rising to meet Mateo Silvetti’s cross with a perfectly-timed header. From there, he orchestrated the attack with typical precision, assisting on a Tadeo Allende brace and a second-half goal by Silvetti.
The performance continues a remarkable run of form. Messi now has 11 goals and 11 assists in his last seven matches, contributing to all but three of Miami’s goals during that stretch. He is currently averaging a goal contribution every 28.6 minutes—numbers that mirror the peak years of his European dominance.
For the 2025 season, his tally stands at an astonishing 43 goals and 28 assists in 47 matches across all competitions. His 29 goals and 19 assists in the regular season already secured him the 2025 MLS Golden Boot.
The goal
Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS Eastern Conference semifinal, with Lionel Messi delivering a masterclass by producing a hat-trick of assists in the decisive win. Check out here the highlights and goals.
Pushing for Another MLS Record
Beyond leading Miami into uncharted territory, Messi is also closing in on yet another league milestone. He is now just two goals away from breaking the record for most goals in a single MLS Cup playoffs, currently held by Carlos Ruiz, who scored eight in 2002 with LA Galaxy.
Other players who have reached six goals in a postseason include Raúl Díaz Arce, Roy Lassiter, Robbie Keane, and Dejan Joveljić—the latter doing so in last year’s MLS Cup championship run with the LA Galaxy. Messi now joins that elite list but looks primed to surpass them all.
A Last Dance With Alba and Busquets
Inter Miami’s journey has taken on an emotional dimension as well. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets—two of Messi’s closest friends and longtime Barcelona teammates—are set to retire at the end of Miami’s playoff run. Messi’s brilliance has extended their final chapter together, and the trio hopes to finish with one last trophy.
Previously, Inter Miami had never won a playoff round in club history. With Messi, they have now won two and are 90 minutes away from an MLS Cup final.
What Comes Next
In the Eastern Conference final, Inter Miami will face the winner of Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC. Should they advance, Miami would meet Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC, or Minnesota United in the MLS Cup final on December 6.
With Messi in this form, Miami look capable of beating anyone.
