Lionel Messi once again made it clear that his talent has no expiration date. On the last day of the MLS 2025 regular season, the Argentine scored a hat-trick in Inter Miami’s 5-2 win over Nashville.
His performance was so dominant that his coach, Javier Mascherano, was quick to praise him at a press conference: “Leo is the best player to ever play the game.
Mascherano praises Messi
29 goals in 28 games. 🔥
Leo Messi racked up the goals to win the Golden Boot pres. by Audi. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Ovzr0pc1Sh
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2025
The match, played at GEODIS Park, served not only to secure third place in the Eastern Conference for Inter Miami, but also to consolidate Messi’s position as the league’s top scorer.
With 29 goals and 19 assists in the regular season, Messi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot.
But for Mascherano, who knows him from his years with the Argentine national team and FC Barcelona, the most important thing is not the numbers, but his impact on and off the pitch:
“I’m lucky because I enjoy Leo up close. Sometimes people watch him on TV, I’m closer. He was fantastic today,” he said in English after the match.
A leader on and off the court
The crown is his. 👑
Lionel Messi is the 2025 Golden Boot pres. by Audi winner! pic.twitter.com/ugou6SFwfG
– Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2025
Messi, 38, continues to be the backbone of Inter Miami’s sporting project.
For Mascherano, his experience and competitiveness elevate the team in every way.
“He helped us win the game, like so many other times. If anyone had any doubts about his season, he’s cleared them up completely.”
Nashville is coming again, but in playoffs
Interestingly, Inter Miami will have to face Nashville again in the first round of the playoffs, a best-of-three game series.
Mascherano was confident but cautious:
“The opponents are the ones you get. We’ll have to face Nashville again and we’ll have to prepare the best way we can to get the win at home.”
He also emphasized that the team will be better physically:
“We come from playing every three days, now doing it once a week is going to be very good for us.”
Messi’s legacy in MLS
Buzzy
For the Hispanic community living in the United States, watching Lionel Messi play at home is not only a spectacle, but a historic opportunity.
It is no longer necessary to travel to Europe or get up early to see his goals.
Messi is making his mark in stadiums across the country, raising the level of local soccer and generating pride among those who grew up watching him shine.
And as Mascherano, who knows him better than most, says:
Leo sigue demostrando por qué es el mejor. Y nosotros tenemos el privilegio de verlo de cerca
Mascherano
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