Lionel Messi is inevitable. The Argentinian star is the heart and the soul of Inter Miami, and his current form is the perfect explanation why Javier Mascherano's side enjoys such a rich run in the Major League football season 2025. The no. 10 still grabbed a brace against Nashville SC and relieved Chase Stadium again.
There is still no stopping Messi
The first real threat came from the herons, when Tadeo Allende fired a shot that was blocked by the visiting goalkeeper. Moments later, Luis Suárez missed a golden chance with a demolished attempt that floated over the bar. Despite the misfire of the seasoned Uruguayan striker, the men of Mascherano began to assert themselves on the game.
A few minutes later, Messi tried to break to the goal, but was brought down by the Norwegian midfielder Edvard Sandvik in a clear error. Up stepped the No. 10, which buried the resulting free kick from just outside the box to bring it 1-0 in Fort Lauderdale. With a low ride to Joe Willis's post, the Inter Miami captain continued its extraordinary 2025 campaign.
While Inter Miami looked the gap before the break, it was Nashville who struck early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Hany Mukhtar brought the score with a well-placed header after a brilliant cross from the right by Honduran Full-back Andy Najar. Nashville no. 10 defeated óscar Ustari to make it 1-1.
Messi and his love affair with bracket
Messi is in such an imperious form that he forces mistakes from his opponents. Only a few minutes after Mukhtar's equalizer, the herons took control of the ball back – but their second goal came to a blunder by goalkeeper Joe Willis. After he received a long ball, Willis tried to play it to a teammate, but his pass landed directly at the feet of the Argentinian star, who calmly slid his second goal of the night home.
The newest brace from Messi sets a new MLS record for the most successive games with multiple goals in the regular season – now five, higher than the previous figure of four. He also drew level with Sam Surridge – his direct rival on Saturday – at the top of the scor cards of 2025 ml. And with 11 goals in his last six performances, Messi Josef Martínez has matched for most goals in a six-game wingspan in competition history.