Lionel Messi delivered more magic on MLS “Decision Day” 2025, closing out the regular season with a hat trick and an assist to finish his regular season at 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 games for Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi is the Best Player in MLS, Can Inter Miami Win the MLS Cup?
Messi’s 29 goals came almost entirely from open play — he converted just one penalty all season (in the finale against Nashville SC). He finished ahead of Denis Bouanga, who is still vying for a World Cup spot with Gabon, and Nashville’s Sam Surridge, the former Stoke City and Nottingham Forest forward, in the Golden Boot race.
Messi’s 19 assists put him just behind Danish international Anders Dreyer, who had a fantastic debut season with expansion side San Diego FC — a club that finished first in the MLS Western Conference. Dreyer, formerly of Anderlecht in Belgium, quickly established himself as one of the league’s most creative players.
Messi’s combined 45 goal contributions (goals + assists) place him comfortably ahead of fellow MVP contenders Dreyer and FC Cincinnati’s Brazilian star Evander.
Having proven once again that he’s not only the best player in MLS, but arguably the best in league history since arriving in 2023, Messi faces one final challenge — can he lift the MLS Cup? He won the Leagues Cup in 2023 but arrived too late to save Miami’s playoff hopes that year. In 2024, Inter Miami set a new MLS points record (74) and captured the Supporters’ Shield, only to be stunned by Atlanta United in the first round of the playoffs.
This season, Miami’s defensive inconsistency, and Messi’s occasional absences saw them finish third in a stacked Eastern Conference. Their 19-7-8 record, backed by the best goal differential in the conference, left them just one point behind top-seeded Philadelphia Union. Evander’s Cincinnati finished second, with Wilfried Zaha’s FC Charlotte in fourth.
MLS Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket: Orlando City vs Chicago In The Wild Card Round
The Eastern Conference Wild Card round features Orlando City traveling to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Fire. Both teams finished with 53 points. Orlando is led by Argentine playmaker Martín Ojeda (16 goals, 15 assists) and Croatian midfielder Marco Pašalić. Chicago leans on Belgian striker Hugo Cuypers (17 goals) and Danish winger Philip Zinckernagel to drive their attack.
Philadelphia Union await the Wild Card winner in their first playoff matchup. All series are best-of-three, with each team hosting once and the higher seed hosting a potential Game 3. Kai Wagner and Tai Baribo are key men for the Union, who remain among MLS’s elite despite lacking household names.
Charlotte FC faces NYCFC in the #4 vs. #5 matchup. Charlotte was capable of long winning streaks this season, anchored by U.S. veteran Tim Ream at the back. Former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has contributed to 21 goals this season, while 35-year-old Ashley Westwood (ex-Aston Villa, Burnley) continues to marshal the midfield. However, the health of Pep Biel, sidelined with a knee injury, could be decisive for their chances. Croatian goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina has been outstanding in net.
NYCFC, owned by City Football Group, counters with U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, and young Argentine attackers Julián Fernández and Agustín Ojeda. Costa Rican international Alonso Martínez has been their main threat, tallying 17 goals this season.
Columbus vs. Cincinnati Derby Headlines MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs
Columbus Crew, the 2023 champions under Wilfried Nancy, have built a relative MLS dynasty. Their first-round clash with FC Cincinnati renews one of MLS’s fiercest rivalries. For Cincinnati, 24-year-old striker Kevin Denkey and playmaker Evander lead the way — Evander has continued his strong form from his Portland days. Columbus features Cape Verde international Steven Moreira, retiring midfield leader Darlington Nagbe, and U.S. international Max Arfsten. The health of attackers Wessam Abou Ali and MLS legend Diego Rossi (still just 27) could determine whether the Crew can pull off another deep playoff run.
Inter Miami’s Title Chase Begins With a Nashville Rematch
Inter Miami open the playoffs with a rematch against Nashville SC — the same team they defeated 5-2 on Decision Day. The 2025 campaign has a “Last Dance” feel for this Miami squad. Goalkeeper Óscar Ustari is 39, while Jordi Alba (36) and Sergio Busquets (37) are retiring at season’s end after already being honored by the club. Luis Suárez, 38 and always suffering from pain in his knees, managed 10 goals and 9 assists this year thanks to his elite instincts and technical brilliance. And of course, Messi remains the heart of the team.
Miami’s attack remains one of MLS’s most dangerous. U-20 World Cup standout Mateo Silvetti provides depth off the bench, while Rodrigo De Paul — who joined midseason from Atlético Madrid — has struggled to find rhythm, recording just 4 assists and no goals in 11 MLS appearances. He did, however, score and assist twice in the Leagues Cup, where Miami reached the final before falling to Seattle.
The Herons have logged heavy minutes this year, reaching both the Leagues Cup final and the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — a run that few expected. When Messi is fit, he drives Miami to greatness. But for the Herons to finally lift the MLS Cup, he’ll need help — especially on the defensive end. Oft-criticized manager Javier Mascherano is under pressure to focus the team defensively. Teams like Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Charlotte have shown they have built impressive teams that can compete week in, week out, in MLS.
Looking Ahead to the MLS Cup Final
This article covers the Eastern Conference side of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, focusing on Lionel Messi, Evander, and other stars shaping the path to the final. For full coverage of the Western Conference Playoffs — including Thomas Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps and Son Heung-min’s LAFC — read here.
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport