Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 4-0 to clinch their place in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs, Afrosport reports.
The Argentine maestro combined with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets to assist compatriot Baltasar Rodriguez in the 43rd minute before Busquets set him up for the second in the 74th minute.
Inter Miami were in control of things at Citi Field but still had more in the tank as Uruguay legend Luis Suarez scored from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute before Messi wrapped things up three minutes later with a clinical finish off a Marcelo Weigandt assist.
It took the 38-year-old to 37 MLS goal contributions (24 goals, 13 assists) in 2025, making him become the first player to record 35+ goal involvements in back-to-back to seasons after registering 22 goals and 21 assists in 2024.
Messi is also tied joint-third in the all-time MLS goal contributions in a single season with Josef Martinez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and trails Carlos Vela (49) with five games left in the regular season.
With his first-half assist against New York City FC, @InterMiamiCF forward Lionel Messi became the first player in MLS history to record at least 35 goal contributions in consecutive seasons. pic.twitter.com/2DHhW7CpVq
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) September 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Inter Miami are third in the Eastern Conference standings, five points behind leaders Philadelphia Union with two games in hand.
They are fifth in the race for the Supporters Shield which they can claim in back-to-back seasons if they win all of their remaining regular season games.
