Inter Miami CF's superstar No. 10, Lionel Messi, continued his impressive form on Wednesday evening, contributing significantly to a dominant 4-0 victory against NYCFC. This win not only secured a spot in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs but also showcased Messi's exceptional skills, as he delivered 2 goals and 1 assist during the match.
With this latest performance, Messi has now achieved a remarkable total of 37 goal contributions in the 2025 season, comprising 24 goals and 13 assists. This achievement makes him the first player in MLS history to record 35 goal contributions in consecutive seasons. Furthermore, Messi is now tied for third place all-time for the most goal contributions in a single MLS season alongside other greats like Josef Martinez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He is only five contributions behind the record-holder, Carlos Vela, who has 49, with five games left in the regular season.
Messi's recent scoring streak has coincided with a revitalized performance from Inter Miami. The team’s latest victory marks their third consecutive win under the management of Javier Mascherano. Since suffering a 3-0 defeat against Charlotte FC on September 13, the Herons have bounced back with impressive wins over Seattle Sounders FC, D.C. United, and now New York City FC, ensuring their second consecutive postseason appearance. The team remains competitive in the race for the Supporters' Shield, trailing FC Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Union by just a few points.
Currently, Inter Miami holds a record of 16 wins, 6 losses, and 7 draws, accumulating 55 points. They are closely following FC Cincinnati, who has 58 points, and the Philadelphia Union with 60 points. Notably, Inter Miami has two games in hand on both teams, providing them a potential edge as the season progresses.
In the last three matches, Messi has recorded an impressive tally of 5 goals and 3 assists, strengthening his case for a second consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. Wednesday's match also marked Messi's league-leading eighth multi-goal game of the season, tying him for the most multi-goal games in a single season in MLS history.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami aims to extend their winning streak to four matches as they prepare to face Eastern Conference rival Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 PM ET and will be available on the MLS Season Pass.
