After elevating the MLS Golden Boot trophy, Lionel Messi guided Inter Miami CF to a powerful 3-1 victory over Nashville SC, scoring two targets within the Main League Soccer playoffs opener Friday night time.
Earlier than the match, MLS commissioner Don Garber offered the Argentina star with the award for the 2025 season prime scorer, declaring the ahead had reset the trajectory for the league.
Messi clinched the Golden Boot by scoring 29 targets in 28 video games, incomes the award for the primary time since becoming a member of Inter Miami in 2023.
“I am right here tonight not simply to attend the sport however to current Leo with the Golden Boot,” Garber stated. “I do not assume we ever may have imagined that Leo would have been in a position to ship for this membership, for this metropolis and for this league the best way he had.”
The presentation of the award comes a day after Inter Miami introduced Messi signed a three-year contract extension with the membership, protecting him in South Florida by means of the 2028 season.
“He has reset the trajectory for Main League Soccer, and we have been already doing fairly nicely. And I believe having three extra years is simply going to be one other reward,” Garber stated.
“Hopefully, it is the reward that retains on giving. It has been only a thrill to observe him play and to see how glad he’s right here in Miami and right here in the USA.”
Messi, the heavy favourite to win his second consecutive league MVP honor, additionally completed because the co-league chief in assists with 19.
When Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, he rapidly impressed the membership to win that yr’s inaugural Leagues Cup trophy earlier than clinching the 2024 Supporters’ Defend and setting the MLS report for many factors recorded in a single season.
Individually, Messi earned the 2024 MVP award and is a finalist for the 2025 version. Ought to Messi win the award, he’ll change into the primary MLS participant to clinch it on two consecutive events.