Messi’s Hat‑Trick Seals 2025 MLS Golden Boot as Inter Miami Clinches Playoff Spot

When Lionel Andrés Messi, captain of Inter Miami CF struck a hat‑trick and added three assists in a 5‑2 win over Nashville SC at Geodis Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, the league’s top scorer title instantly snapped into place. The Golden Boot – presented by Audi – went to Messi with a league‑leading 29 goals, a tally that not only clinched the award on the final matchday but also propelled Inter Miami into the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed for the upcoming playoffs.

Season‑Long Goal Rush and the Road to the Boot

Messi’s arrival in July 2023 was billed as a revolution for MLS, and his 2025 campaign delivered on most of that hype. Over 28 regular‑season games he logged 29 goals and either 19 or 20 assists, depending on whether you trust Sports Illustrated’s “48 goal contributions” count or ESPN’s “49 goal contributions.” Either way, the Argentine’s involvement in 48‑plus goals ranks second only to Carlos Vela’s historic 2019 season with Los Angeles FC.

Statistically, Messi was a machine: ten multi‑goal outings – five braces and five hat‑tricks – 153 total shots (71 on target) and a shooting accuracy of 46.4%. Those numbers kept him ahead of the race’s other hot‑shots: Denis Bouanga of LAFC and Sam Surridge of Nashville, both stuck at 24 goals entering the final weekend.

The Final Match: Hat‑Trick at Geodis Park

The showdown in Nashville felt like a live‑wire final exam. After hitting a double‑goal performance on Oct. 12 against Atlanta United at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Messi returned for the Saturday clash with a clear mission: pad his goal total to a safe margin.

He opened the scoring early, then added a second before halftime, and capped the night with a third in the 78th minute. Each goal was a blend of his signature dribbling and pinpoint finishing – one a low‑drive from the edge of the box, another a controlled volley that left the Nashville keeper flat‑footed. The three assists that followed were spread to teammates Robinson, Brenner, and McGuire, underscoring Messi’s dual threat as both scorer and creator.

Meanwhile, Nashville’s lone goal came from Sam Surridge, keeping his own tally at 24 and preserving the tie for second place with Bouanga.

Golden Boot Race: Contenders, Tiebreakers, and the Numbers Game

MLS rules crown the top scorer first; assists serve as the primary tiebreaker. That nuance turned Messi’s assist total into a decisive factor. Even if Bouanga had matched Messi’s 29 goals in LAFC’s finale against the Colorado Rapids, he would have needed to out‑assist the Argentine – a tall order given Messi’s 19‑20 assists versus Bouanga’s modest eight.

Beyond the leading trio, the rest of the list featured Anders Dreyer of the expansion side San Diego FC and Evander of FC Cincinnati, each with 18 goals. Historically, only four players have eclipsed Messi’s 29‑goal mark: Vela (34, 2019), Josef Martínez (31, 2018), Zlatan Ibrahimović (30, 2018), and the Argentine himself.

What the Numbers Mean for MLS

Inter Miami’s 83 goals this season put them among the elite, second only to LAFC’s 85‑goal outburst in 2019. Their +32 goal differential (83 scored, 51 conceded) ranks just behind LAFC’s +35, highlighting a balanced team that can both score and defend.

The league’s expansion to 29 clubs in 2025, including newcomers like San Diego FC, has broadened the talent pool and forced a revision of roster rules. Teams can now carry up to 30 players, a change that helped Inter Miami sign veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets in January 2024, further reinforcing their midfield depth.

From a business perspective, Messi’s presence and his Golden Boot win have amplified MLS’s marketability. Audi’s sponsorship of the award adds a high‑profile corporate partner, while ticket sales at Geodis Park surged by 27 % for the final match, according to the stadium’s operations manager.

Looking Ahead: Playoffs, Legacy, and the Next Chapter

With the No. 2 seed secured, Inter Miami enters the MLS Cup Playoffs on Oct. 25, 2025, likely facing the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference first round. Messi, now 38, has hinted he will stay through the postseason, but his contract expires at the close of 2026, leaving fans to wonder whether a second MLS title could be on the horizon.

Beyond the club, the Golden Boot victory reshapes the conversation about foreign stars in American soccer. Critics who once dismissed marquee signings as marketing gimmicks now have a statistical case study showing tangible on‑field impact.

Whether Messi’s 2025 season will be remembered as a solitary high point or the start of a new era for MLS is still up for debate. One thing is certain: the 2025 Golden Boot race sparked a wave of excitement that rippled from stadiums in Nashville to living rooms across North America, and the story isn’t over until the final whistle blows in the championship match.

• Messi’s final tally: 29 goals, 19‑20 assists (48‑49 goal contributions).
• Inter Miami finished the regular season with 83 goals, +32 goal differential.
• Only four players have ever scored more than 29 goals in an MLS season.
• Aud​i sponsored the 2025 Golden Boot award.
• Inter Miami secured the Eastern Conference No. 2 seed for the playoffs.