Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance, leading Inter Miami to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 4-0 rout of Nashville SC in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night, November 8, 2025.
This marks the first time Inter Miami has reached this stage of the MLS
playoffs, a milestone the city’s previous MLS team, the Miami Fusion, never quite reached before folding in 2001.
Messi was everywhere on the pitch, scoring a pair of first-half goals and setting up both of Tadeo Allende’s second-half strikes in quick succession.
The 36-year-old Argentine played a hand in all eight goals across the series, scoring five and assisting three, as third-seeded Inter Miami outscored sixth-seeded Nashville 8-3 in the best-of-three series.
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Next up for Inter Miami is a single-elimination Eastern Conference semifinal clash against FC Cincinnati on November 22 or 23.
The season series between the two sides was evenly split: Cincinnati won 3-0 at home on July 16, while the July 26 matchup ended in a scoreless draw, with Messi absent for the second game.
Messi, who just signed a new three-year contract through 2028, is a strong favorite to claim his second consecutive MLS MVP award and could become the first player in league history to win back-to-back honors.
Already this season, he secured the Golden Boot as MLS’ top scorer. His timing couldn’t be better as Inter Miami chases an MLS Cup title, with Messi clearly peaking at the perfect moment.
Watch the highlights of the game below:>
INTER MIAMI v NASHVILLE highlights
MESSI with a stunning brace ⚽️ ⚽️ and an assist 🎯 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wx7kPufbGN
— A Billion Times (@CFCQwarmz) November 9, 2025
FKA/AE
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with Godwin Sackey in the post below
