Messi scores three goals, secures Golden Boot as Miami beat Nashville

Lionel Messi's Dominant Performance Seals Golden Boot as Inter Miami Thrash Nashville SC 5-2.

In a high-scoring affair that saw both teams give it their all on Decision Day, Lionel Messi led the charge for Inter Miami as they edged past Nashville SC 5-2. The Argentine superstar cemented his place in MLS history with an impressive hat-trick and assist, helping his team take top spot in the Golden Boot standings.

The victory marked Inter Miami's third consecutive win, and they secured their position as the No 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The win also came at a great cost for Nashville SC, who struggled to cope with Messi's relentless attacking threat.

Nashville SC had begun strongly, taking a 2-1 lead into the halftime break after goals from Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg. However, Inter Miami responded in the second half, as Messi expertly sealed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute before adding to the scoreline with a left-footed shot in the 81st.

Messi's three goals took his tally for the season to 29, surpassing Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and Surridge. The 38-year-old also led the league in assists with 19.

Inter Miami's win was characterized by their ability to outshoot Nashville SC 17-15 and have a 9-7 edge in shots on target. Meanwhile, Nashville struggled to create scoring opportunities after being exposed in the second half.

The result sent shockwaves throughout the MLS community, as Inter Miami secured their place in the playoffs with a convincing win. For Messi, his impressive performance sealed his place at the top of the Golden Boot standings and cemented his status as one of the most dominant players in the league.

this is insane! 38 years old and still killing it on the pitch like that . I mean, who else can say they've got 29 goals and 19 assists to their name? The guy's a genius on the field and it's no surprise he's taken the Golden Boot by storm . Inter Miami's team effort was solid too, but let's be real, Messi's the one doing all the heavy lifting . I'm loving this Decision Day drama in MLS - it's like the league just got a whole lot more exciting . Bring on the playoffs and see who can take down the King ‍!

I'm low-key shocked by Messi's hat-trick ‍... 29 goals this season? He's like a machine, bro! And that assist? Inter Miami's squad is on fire right now . Nashville SC was just outplayed, plain and simple . But for real, what's next for Messi? Is he gonna win the MLS Cup or retire early?

idk how ppl r so hyped about this mls thing ... messi's skills r undeniable, but c'mon 5-2? nashville sc got schooled ... and what's with all these hat-tricks? it feels like they're trying to make the game more exciting than it actually is ... and another thing, 38 and still scoring goals like a 20 yr old ... maybe i'm just not getting it, but someone pls explain to me why mls matters so much

Yooo! Just saw that Inter Miami won 5-2 against Nashville SC and Lionel Messi had an absolute DOMINANT game ! He's on a ROLL with 3 goals and 1 assist, now he's got 29 goals for the season . And let me tell you, his stats are crazy - 19 assists, outshooting Nashville 17-15, and having 9-7 shots on target ! He's basically unstoppable right now . Inter Miami is looking strong for the playoffs too, securing that No 3 seed in the Eastern Conference . This guy Messi is a LEGEND .

idk why teams keep having these huge lead only to let them slip away in the 2nd half lol... like what's going on? Inter Miami was so aggressive with those shots, they barely even had to defend . And Messi just keeps producing, I'm low-key impressed by him still . he's still got that magic, even after all these years . and 17-15 shots on goal for inter miami? that's crazy! they must've been a well-oiled machine in practice

lol what's up with this decision day thing? always so much drama . anyway, I gotta say, that Messi guy is straight fire ! 3 goals and an assist in one game? mind blown . Inter Miami totally outplayed Nashville SC, it was like they were playing a different game altogether . 38 years old and still dominating the league? respect . the way he just destroyed them in the second half must've been terrifying for those guys . anyway, can't wait to see what's next for Inter Miami in the playoffs!

idk what's goin on w/ mls right now lol, i mean dont get me wrong lionel messi is a genius and all but inter miami's 3rd consecutive win feels like they're just coastin' at this point...

on the other hand, messi's hat-trick was SICK! i mean who needs a squad when you've got that level of skill? but seriously though nashville sc had some major struggles comin outta halftime

and can we talk about how old is messi tho? 38 and still killin' it? that's just insane i guess u gotta respect the kid, even if his team is a bit of a mystery to me...

idk why everyone's so hyped about messi winning this golden boot lol he's still playing like a 25-year-old, not like some aged legend who can't keep up but seriously though, his stats are insane! 29 goals and 19 assists in one season? that's crazy. the fact that inter miami was able to get him out there on the pitch so much is a testament to their squad depth and coaching

ugh, so now messi's basically a guaranteed superstar in mls lol like what even is the point of competing with him? 5 goals and an assist, no surprise at all. and inter miami's gonna run roughshod over everyone else in the playoffs...it's not like they deserve it or anything, they just got lucky. nashville sc gets thrashed, guess that's what happens when you don't have a player as talented as messi on your team

Ugh I'm literally so done with these goal-scoring machines ! Like what's next? Everyone just gonna be Messi and Bouanga for the rest of their lives? And can we talk about how Nashville got thrashed like 5-2?! That's embarrassing for them, fam . I mean, Inter Miami played well, but it was all because of Messi, right? The guy is a god or something . Can't wait to see who he'll be playing against in the playoffs... whoever it is better bring their A-game

omg how did they even contain him i mean nashville sc had like 2 good chances but messi was just unstoppable he's def doing it again and taking all the glory those 3 goals were just pure magic 29 goals in a season is insane lol what's next for inter miami? will they make a deep run in the playoffs?

I'm not sure about all this fuss around Lionel Messi's 5-2 thrashing of Nashville SC ... I mean, don't get me wrong, he's still an incredible player, but this whole Golden Boot thing just seems like a marketing gimmick to me . I bet there are plenty of other factors at play that aren't being reported on ... And what about the safety concerns with all these high-scoring matches? All those balls flying around must be causing some serious injuries ... Not to mention the fact that Inter Miami's reliance on Messi is a bit concerning – can they really survive without him?

OMG , can you believe this? Lionel Messi is absolutely on fire ! He's like a superhero on the pitch, scoring hat-tricks left and right ! I'm not surprised he led Inter Miami to victory, though - his skills are just too much for any team to handle . And 38 years young and still going strong? Respect ! What's next for this legend? Another MLS title maybe? Fingers crossed

just watched this insane game and i'm still reeling from it messi is literally unstoppable on the field right now 5 goals and an assist for him? that's dominance at its finest what's crazy is how one player can change the pace of a game like that any team would love to have him on their side

OMG I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!!! LIONEL MESSI IS A GENIUS ON THE PITCH!!! HE'S LIKE A MAGICAL WIZARD WHO MAKES GOALS APPEAR OUT OF THIN AIR!!! I mean, 29 GOALS AND 19 ASSISTS IN ONE SEASON?!?! THAT'S JUST INSANE!!! INTER MIAMI IS LOOKING STRONG FOR THE PLAYOFFS NOW AND MESSI IS THE MAN BEHIND IT ALL!!!

man... 5-2 is crazy! Inter Miami's bench must've been on fire lol what can you say about messi though? he's just getting better with age, 38 and still dropping hat-tricks he's definitely giving those young bucks a run for their money. the thing that surprised me was how exposed Nashville SC got in the second half... they gotta step up their game if they wanna compete against top teams like Inter Miami

Wow , did you see that game? Messi is literally on fire ! I'm loving how Inter Miami's team play is coming together - 3 wins in a row is insane ! Nashville SC had some great moments but just couldn't keep up with the Messi magic . Now the question is, can they take it all the way and win that championship? Interesting to see how the playoffs shake out now

what's up with all these 38-year-olds dominating the game? Lionel Messi is literally a god on the field, I'm not mad about him leading Inter Miami to that W and 29 goals isn't bad for a guy his age, I mean, most players are done by then

Nashville SC looked so lost out there in the second half, did they think Messi would just chill? guess not, because he went full Beast Mode . And 19 assists? that's insane, dude needs to be on the cover of a sports magazine ASAP

anywayz, big congrats to Inter Miami for taking top spot in the Golden Boot standings, they must be hyped . and now we get to see what happens in the playoffs can't wait!

Wow , 38 and still killing it! Like, how does he do it? His work rate is insane and that hat-trick was pure magic . Nashville SC had no chance against him, what a game . And now Inter Miami are set for the playoffs with that win , can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds!