The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season is heading toward its conclusion. On the early morning of October 19, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, will play their final regular-season match against Nashville. For Inter Miami, this season has been somewhat disappointing. Last season, they captured the Supporters’ Shield for the first time, finishing at the top of the league. However, this year, the team was unable to defend that title, with Philadelphia overtaking them to claim the honor.
While Inter Miami fell short as a team, Messi’s individual brilliance has remained as dazzling as ever. Throughout the season, the Argentine captain has consistently led his team from the front, lighting up the field match after match.
Messi has topped the charts not only in goals but also in assists and other performance metrics. With one MLS match remaining for most teams, little is expected to change—the Argentine superstar has already set himself apart.
So far this season, Messi has appeared in 27 of Inter Miami’s 33 matches, scoring a league-high 26 goals. He leads Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga by two goals, even though the Gabon winger has played three more matches (30).
Messi also tops the assists chart with 18, tied with Danish winger Andreas Dreyer, who has played six more matches than Messi. Beyond the main stats, Messi leads in several other metrics, including multiple-goal games, chance creation, and successful dribbles.
But Messi cannot be measured by statistics alone. He has been the nucleus of Inter Miami, driving the team forward virtually single-handedly. From defense to attack, Messi has orchestrated play, giving his all whenever the team needed him.
The dream of leading Inter Miami to a trophy is far from over for Messi. Even without the Supporters’ Shield, he has guided Miami into the MLS playoffs, giving the team a chance to win the MLS Cup for the first time. A victory there could help the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner overcome the disappointment of missing out on the Shield.
