At last, the 2025 MLS regular season has come to an end. Earlier today, Matchday 34 wrapped up with all 30 teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences in action, finalizing Philadelphia Union as the winner of the Supporters’ Shield race as the league now gears up for the playoffs. While Inter Miami might have failed to defend their last year’s win, they didn’t rule themselves out from ending the campaign with a bang. Guess the Argentine maestro was feeling generous after such a night, deciding to make a small but memorable gesture for the Nashville players.

There’s hardly a moment when fans, or even opposing players, don’t try to get their hands on Messi’s match-worn jersey. We bet that it sometimes even sparks friendly competition inside rival dressing rooms over who gets to keep La Pulga’s shirt. A similar yet rather special scene unfolded after today’s game, as nearly every Nashville player rushed to request Messi’s jersey following his breathtaking display.

Not one to disappoint, Lionel Messi responded in true GOAT fashion. Instead of handing it over to just one player, an X report from @TouchlineX stated that the Inter Miami skipper told the entire Nashville squad that he’d have shirts ready for them in the dressing room. Hearing this, it literally prompted a light-hearted dash from the opposition toward Inter Miami’s locker room.

Indeed, it was a small but classy gesture from the 37-year-old, reflecting his ever-generous nature. The occasion only made it more special, as he guided his team in style with a remarkable performance. Messi drew first blood around the half-hour mark, but goals from Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg just before halftime gave Nashville a surprising lead. However, a 15-minute pep talk in the dressing room worked its magic in the second half.

Messi converted a penalty in the 60th minute and added another in the 81st, while Baltasar Rodríguez scored the fourth. Messi then assisted Telasco Segovia for the final goal in the closing minutes of the game. Despite the strong result, Cincinnati’s win over Charlotte prevented Inter Miami from finishing second in the Eastern Conference. Courtesy of a hat trick and one assist from Lionel Messi, the Herons thrashed Nashville 2-5. The Herons’ third-place finish means they will face Nashville once again in the opening round of the playoffs.

Another occasion for the rival team to earn a jersey from Lionel Messi. But jokes aside, that will be a tough one. In the meantime, the former FC Barcelona forward will be celebrating his emphatic victory!

Golden Boot is just the beginning for Lionel Messi!

28 matches, 29 goals, and 19 assists—it was quite a season for Lionel Messi as he successfully secured the prestigious MLS Golden Boot award. His emphatic win comes by outshining 2023 winner Denis Bouanga (24 goals) and Nashville’s Sam Surridge (24 goals) to claim the honor, becoming the second Argentine-born player to win the award after Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos.

Messi is also only the third player since 2005 to score at least 29 goals in a Golden Boot-winning season, joining Josef Martínez (31 in 2018) and Carlos Vela (34 in 2019). His 1.03 goals-per-game average ranks second only to Vela’s 2019 campaign, and he became the first player in MLS history to record 10 multi-goal games in a single season, surpassing the previous record of eight.

Messi’s dominance didn’t stop there: he had multiple goals in five consecutive matches from May 28 to July 12, scoring 10 goals over that stretch. Across the season, he amassed 48 goal contributions, the second-most in MLS history for a single campaign, including at least three contributions in nine matches.

The 8X Ballon d’Or winner is also the only player in league history to record 36+ goal contributions in multiple seasons (2024, 2025) and the second ever to lead the league in both goals and assists in a single season, joining Sebastian Giovinco (2015).

Of course, the Golden Boot is not Messi’s only target this season, as he still has a chance to win the MLS MVP award. At least, that’s what his manager, Javier Mascherano, believes: “The reality is that Leo has been exceptional, as he usually is. I think if anyone had doubts about his regular season, he has cleared them all. He will surely be awarded the MVP,” said the Argentine tactician after the clash.

Beyond individual accolades, Messi also has the opportunity to lead Inter Miami to a trophy the club has never won: the MLS Cup. If he can carry his emphatic form into the playoffs, the Argentine superstar could guide his team to historic glory.