Messi Shatters MLS Records with Historic Achievement No Player Has Ever Accomplished
Lionel Messi kept etching his name in the record books during the 2025 MLS campaign, achieving two fresh career landmarks as Inter Miami demolished FC Cincinnati 4–0 to reach the Eastern Conference final for the first time in franchise history.
The 38-year-old netted one goal and provided three assists to propel the Herons to victory at TQL Stadium on Sunday evening. Messi's contribution places him at the summit of the rankings for most goal involvements in a single MLS Cup playoff run.
Across four postseason fixtures under Javier Mascherano, the attacker now boasts six goals and six assists after tallying five goals and three assists in the Round One best-of-three series versus Nashville SC.
With his exceptional attacking display, Messi also reached a new personal benchmark, achieving 1,300 goal involvements across all competitions throughout his 1,135 appearances for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and the Argentina national squad.
On Sunday, Messi broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a header from a Mateo Silvetti cross, before orchestrating play throughout the evening for a Tadeo Allende double and a Silvetti strike.
The Barcelona icon now boasts 11 goals and 11 assists across his previous seven outings, being involved in all but three of the Herons' strikes during that period. Messi is producing a goal involvement every 28.6 minutes.
The evening elevated his 2025 tally to 43 goals and 28 assists in 47 appearances across all tournaments, already sufficient to claim the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists in regular season play.
Lionel Messi's Record-Breaking Season for Inter Miami
Competition | Goals | Assists | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
MLS Regular Season | 29 | 19 | 29 |
FIFA Club World Cup | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Concacaf Champions Cup | 5 | 1 | 7 |
Leagues Cup | 2 | 2 | 4 |
MLS Cup playoffs | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Total | 43 | 28 | 47 |
By guiding his squad past challenging adversaries and into another round, Messi also extends his playing partnership with longtime companions and former teammates, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who plan to retire once Miami concludes the playoffs, which they hope will end with silverware.
Now, he pursues the record for most goals in a single MLS Cup playoff campaign, currently owned by Carlos Ruiz, who netted eight during the 2002 postseason with the LA Galaxy.
Other players to score six goals in a postseason include Raúl Díaz Arce, Roy Lassiter, Robbie Kean and Dejan Joveljić; the latter achieved this feat during last year's MLS Cup triumph with the LA Galaxy.
Previously, Miami had never captured a playoff series, but Messi has now guided them through two rounds. They will meet either the Philadelphia Union or New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final. Should they progress, they would face one of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC or Minnesota United on Dec. 6 for MLS Cup.