Messi Shines as Inter Miami Crush NYCFC 4-0 to Seal MLS Playoff Spot

Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass on Wednesday night, scoring twice and providing an assist as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 victory over New York City FC to secure a place in the MLS Cup playoffs.

The Argentine superstar now leads the league’s scoring chart outright with 24 goals in 23 matches, moving two ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga. Luis Suárez, back from a three-game suspension for misconduct in the Leagues Cup final, also found the net from the penalty spot, while Baltazar Rodriguez scored Miami’s opener.

NYCFC started brighter at Citi Field, threatening with chances from Thiago Martins, Aiden O’Neill, and Nicolas Fernandez, but were left to regret their wastefulness. Miami broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Messi’s incisive pass set up Rodriguez, who calmly slotted past goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Messi doubled Miami’s advantage in the 74th minute, gliding past a defender before chipping over Freese. After Suárez converted his penalty, Messi capped the night with a pinpoint strike in the 86th minute to seal the emphatic win. The result lifts Miami to third in the Eastern Conference, just five points behind leaders Philadelphia with two games in hand, keeping alive their hopes of winning the Supporters’ Shield. Messi, now with goals and assists in three straight games, has firmly placed himself in the race for the 2025 MLS MVP award.