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Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi finished with a hat trick on the final day of MLS’ regular season Saturday to clinch the 2025 MLS Golden Boot award.

Messi’s three goals, along with an assist, helped Miami to a 5-2 win at Nashville SC. The Argentina forward had 29 goals in just 28 regular-season matches to finish as MLS’ top scorer for the first time.

– Messi tracker: All goals, assists, key moments

His nearest challengers were LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, who both finished tied for second with 24 goals.

Only three players — Carlos Vela (34), Josef Martínez (31) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30) — have scored more goals in an MLS regular season than Messi’s 29.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also had a league-high 19 assists, which, along with his 29 goals, left Messi one shy of Vela’s MLS record of 49 goal contributions in a regular season.

“It’s so obvious that [Messi] gives us an advantage every night,” Inter Miami defender Ian Fray said. “There aren’t enough words to say about him.”

Lionel Messi finished the MLS regular season with three goals in Inter Miami’s win over Nashville. Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Messi’s contributions propelled Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage for the playoffs. The team will face Nashville again in the first round of the 2025 MLS playoffs.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano shared in his postgame news conference that Game 1 of the three-game series will take place Friday, though MLS will announce the schedule Sunday.

Mascherano has insisted that Messi has done more than enough on the field to earn the 2025 MLS MVP award, which would make him the first player to win it in consecutive seasons.

“Well, what can I say about Leo? The truth is, well, today he was exceptional, as he usually is,” Mascherano said.

“Clearly, I think if anyone had any doubts about what his regular season was like, the reality is that he’s cleared any doubts. They’ll surely give him the MVP award for everything he’s shown.

“Talking about the three goals he scored, well, happy for him because he helped us win the game again.”

Messi won the 2024 MLS MVP trophy after recording 20 goals and 16 assists to inspire Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield and break the league record for most points recorded in a season.

Messi’s hat trick Saturday was second in MLS. His first came in Inter Miami’s 6-2 win over the New England Revolution on the final day of the 2024 regular season.

He scored his first of the game against Nashville from the top of the box in the 35th minute to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

Messi was awarded a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and converted to tie the score 2-2.

He completed the hat trick in the 81st minute, scoring from the center of the box on a left-footed shot and extending Inter Miami’s lead to 4-2.

Messi also had an assist on Telasco Segovia‘s score in stoppage time.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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The 2025 MLS playoff picture is set.

Lionel Messi posted a Decision Day hat trick against Nashville SC to win the 2025 Golden Boot and help Inter Miami secure home-field advantage for the postseason.

Messi scored 29 goals in his second MLS season to become the first Inter Miami player to win the award.

Inter Miami is now set to rematch with Nashville in the first round of the 2025 MLB playoffs. Here’s a look at the full bracket after Saturday’s final matches.

1. Philadelphia Union vs. Eastern Wild Card winner (8. Chicago Fire or 9. Orlando City)

4. Charlotte FC vs. 5. New York City FC

2. FC Cincinnati vs. 7. Columbus Crew

3. Inter Miami vs. 6. Nashville SC

1. San Diego FC vs. Western Wild Card winner (8. Portland Timbers or 9. Real Salt Lake)

4. Minnesota United vs. 5. Seattle Sounders

2. Vancouver Whitecaps vs. 7. FC Dallas

The first round will feature a “Hell is Real” rematch between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew.

The rivalry, named after the infamous billboard on the interstate roadside between the two cities, last peaked in 2023 when Columbus claimed a 3-2 comeback win in the MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Final en route to winning the title.

Cincinnati secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed with a Decision Day shutout of CF Montreal, while Columbus climbed out of the Wild Card round and into the No. 7 spot in part thanks to a Saturday win over the New York Red Bulls.

Charlotte FC meanwhile sealed home-field advantage for a first-round matchup with New York City FC thanks to a Decision Day win over the Philadelphia Union.

The Philadelphia Union will now wait for next Wednesday’s Wild Card game, when the Orlando City SC and Chicago Fire play for the final playoff spot in the East.

San Diego FC meanwhile locked up the top seed in the West thanks to a Decision Day shutout of the Portland Timbers, combined with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ loss to FC Dallas.

Either the Portland Timbers or Real Salt Lake will face San Diego FC in the first round, depending on Wednesday’s Wild Card results.

Vancouver fell to the No. 2 seed and a first-round rematch with Dallas. Minnesota will face Seattle while LAFC takes on Austin to round out the Western Conference.

Round 1 begins Friday and runs through Sunday, Nov. 9. The conference semifinals are set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, followed by the conference finals the following weekend on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30.

Everything leads up to the kickoff of the 2025 MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 6.

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Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Lionel Messi will be available for Inter Miami’s final 2025 MLS regular season clash with Nashville SC on Saturday as the captain looks to secure the Golden Boot.

Messi comes into the match after featuring for Argentina on Tuesday night against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium.

“Yesterday they [Messi and Rodrigo De Paul] trained with us, they did a good part of it. Today they will train with us completely,” Mascherano said.

“Beyond playing on Tuesday, Messi played for us on Saturday and De Paul didn’t play too many minutes against Venezuela so this wasn’t an international window of too much wear.

“They played here so after the game they could rest, they didn’t travel. Normally, when you have four days between games you can arrive with rest and in good conditions. We will be talking today after training.”

Lionel Messi is set to return for Inter Miami on Saturday. Michael Chisholm/Getty Images

Mascherano said “almost everyone is available” for Saturday’s game except David Ruiz and Allen Obando, who remain sidelined due to ongoing injuries.

The final match against Nashville could see Messi clinch the 2025 MLS Golden Boot and allow Inter Miami to ensure home-field advantage for the playoffs.

Messi leads the Golden Boot standings with 26 goals, though Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga trails on 24 goals.

The Inter Miami captain has yet to win the league’s Golden Boot since joining MLS in the summer of 2023, despite coming close to clinching the accolade in 2024.

Beyond goals, Messi also stands as the leader of assists for the 2025 MLS season with 18 which improves his chances at securing the league MVP.

Mascherano insists there is “no type of doubt” that Messi deserves the trophy, which would make him the first ever player to win the MLS MVP on two consecutive occasions after lifting the 2024 edition of the award.

– Messi announces youth tournament ‘Messi Cup’ for December
– Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami
– Are Man United too big to fail? The answer might surprise you

“There is no type of doubt [that Messi is the MVP of the league]. Even with the disadvantage of playing less games than others, it’s the influence he’s had on this team,” Mascherano said.

“Measuring Messi only on the statistics, which you can do, he’s the best but he goes beyond the numbers. He reflects on the field the importance he has in this team, and what he does to make everyone who watches him enjoy it.”

Inter Miami previously qualified to the league playoffs, but will know of the Round One opponent following the final day of the regular season on Saturday night.

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adidas have unveiled the latest addition to their Predator 25 lineup – the‘Obsidian Strike’– the first leather model in the range and a striking fusion of heritage and modern design.

While black, red, and white – the colourway that has made the Predator an icon since its 1994 debut – still feature, the traditional white accents have been swapped for premium silver detailing, signalling a bold step into the future.

The chrome touches run from the fold-over tongue to the bold Three Stripes, with vivid red pops adding an injection of energy.

Despite the forward-looking design, the boot is rich with heritage nods.

adidas’ Predator ‘Obsidian Strike’ boots. / adidas

A silver “EST. 1994†insignia marks the birth year of the original Predator, while the iconic Predator eyes logo is subtly worked into the upper. The black heel is finished with contrasting silver “Pred†and adidas branding, striking a balance between premium polish and retro charm.

Each pair comes with a matching black boot bag featuring silver Predator graphics and red straps – the perfect companion to protect the boots in style.

Available now via adidas†official online store and select global retailers, the Obsidian Strike cements Predatorâ€s place as a boot that evolves without ever losing its edge.

adidas’ Predator ‘Obsidian Strike’ boots are a modern take on a true classic. / adidas

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