Messi magic in Game One! 💥 What a start for @InterMiamiCF. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/6ugOORVHGT Miami were able to ride that goal to a halftime lead, which put them 45 minutes closer to defeating Nashville SC in this best-of-three series,

Messi was named a finalist for the MVP award Thursday along with Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Cincinnati’s Evander and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. The award is expected to be handed out before the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6.

Nashville SC faces Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in the first round of the MLS playoffs. Follow live updates from Game 1 at Chase Stadium.

Lionel Messi followed a pre-game ceremony celebrating his first MLS Golden Boot with an exceptional showing in Inter Miami's win over Nashville SC to open the MLS playoffs.

Lionel Messi's second goal in the match came off a tap in after the ball deflected towards him in the stoppage time.

The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs are here, and Lionel Messi is red hot as Inter Miami enters the postseason in search of their first MLS Cup.

The Danish midfielder was the joint leader in assists and tallied 19 goals. San Diego's 63 points were also a record for an MLS expansion franchise. The club claimed the top seed in the Western Conference, owning the tiebreaker over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has penned a heartfelt message for Lionel Messi after the Argentine GOAT shut down speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract with the MLS outfit.

MLS averaged 3.7 million live match viewers a week in 2025, the league said Thursday as Lionel Messi led jersey sales for the third straight season.