Lionel Messi produced a surprising hat-trick to clinch the Main League Soccer (MLS) Golden Boot and lead Inter Miami to a commanding 5–2 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday night time.
The Argentine celebrity capped a spectacular common season with 29 objectives in 28 matches, ending forward of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who each ended the marketing campaign with 24 objectives.
Messi’s treble not solely sealed his first MLS Golden Boot but additionally strengthened his bid for a second consecutive MLS Most Precious Participant (MVP) award, as Inter Miami secured third place within the Japanese Convention heading into the playoffs.
“What can I say about Leo?” mentioned Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano after the match. “As we speak he was distinctive, as he often is. He’s been the distinction all season, and I’m positive he’ll be named MVP once more.”
Nashville started brightly, creating a number of early possibilities, however Messi opened the scoring within the thirty fourth minute with a trademark left-footed roller into the underside nook after a intelligent trade with Jordi Alba.
Nashville responded 9 minutes later when Sam Surridge headed in from Hany Mukhtar’s cross, earlier than Jacob Shaffelburg put the guests forward 2–1 on the stroke of halftime, slotting residence the rebound after Mukhtar’s effort got here off the put up.
Messi levelled issues within the 52nd minute with a exact end from shut vary after which accomplished his hat-trick from the penalty spot to revive Miami’s lead. Targets from Leonardo Campana and Telasco Segovia within the remaining levels sealed a powerful win for the hosts.
The end result ensures Inter Miami head into the MLS Cup Playoffs in wonderful kind, with Messi set to face Nashville once more within the first spherical on October 24 — a rematch now brimming with anticipation after the Argentine’s newest masterclass.
