News Summary
Lionel Messi has been named MLS Player of the Month for his remarkable performance in October, scoring 10 goals in three matches to help Inter Miami CF. This is Messi’s third Player of the Month award this season, as he also claimed the MLS Golden Boot with an impressive 48 goal contributions. As Inter Miami prepares for the playoffs, Messi’s contributions are critical, especially as they face Nashville SC in the first round. The team aims to overcome past playoff struggles and has high hopes for a successful campaign.
Miami, FL – Lionel Messi has been named the MLS Player of the Month for October 2025 following his impressive contributions that helped Inter Miami CF finish the regular season on a high note. Messi scored a total of 10 goals (5 goals and 5 assists) across the final three matches, playing a crucial role in two game-winning moments.
This recognition is not a first for Messi this season; it marks the third time he has received Player of the Month honors in 2025, joining his accolades in May and July. His outstanding performance in October not only earned him this title but also secured him the MLS Golden Boot, concluding the season with a remarkable 48 goal contributions (29 goals and 19 assists). This impressive statistic stands as the second-most in a single season in MLS history.
Messi continues to set remarkable records within the league, becoming the only player in MLS history to achieve at least 36 goal contributions in a season multiple times, having previously accomplished this feat in 2024 with 20 goals and 16 assists. As the playoffs approach, Messi is poised to aim for a spot in history by becoming the first player in MLS to win back-to-back MVP awards.
Inter Miami is gearing up for a challenging playoff matchup against Nashville SC in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, set to start on Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium. Despite some concern regarding Messi’s fitness, he missed a training session due to minor back discomfort but is expected to return by Wednesday, ensuring he will be ready for the critical playoff clash.
In the regular season finale, Messi showcased his talent by scoring a hat trick during a decisive 5-2 victory over Nashville. Last year, Inter Miami had a promising start, finishing first in the regular season but faced elimination in the first round of the playoffs. This season, the team finished third in the Eastern Conference and was unable to defend its title for the Supporters’ Shield.
Historically, Inter Miami has struggled in the playoffs, not advancing past the first round since its inception. Players on the team are motivated to overcome previous failures and succeed in the current campaign. They acknowledged that their previous playoff exits serve as a driving force for this year’s ambitions.
Defensively, Inter Miami led the league with a total of 81 goals this season but also conceded 55 goals, highlighting some vulnerabilities that could be a concern in the playoff series. The matchup against Nashville will follow a best-of-three format, with matches reverting to penalty shootouts to determine winners if any are tied following regulation time.
Should Miami succeed in the playoffs, they will advance to face the winner of the Cincinnati versus Columbus Crew matchup in the conference semifinal. All potential home games, including possible matches in the MLS Cup championship on December 6, will take place at Chase Stadium.
Rounding out the sensations surrounding this playoff run is Messi’s incredible contribution to the team’s success. The expectations for winning the MLS Cup are high within the organization, with players and coaches alike recognizing Messi’s invaluable impact as a central figure in their ambitions.
The playoff series against Nashville kicks off Friday at 8 p.m. ET, and fans can catch all the action on Apple TV, FS1, and FOX Deportes. Tickets for the playoff matches are available through the Inter Miami official website.
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Additional Resources
- Miami Herald: Lionel Messi Recognized as MLS Player of the Month
- Inter Miami CF: Messi Named MLS Player of the Matchday
- MLS Soccer: Messi Named Player of the Matchday
- Wikipedia: Lionel Messi
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lionel Messi
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