News Summary
Lionel Messi has been awarded MLS Player of the Month for his exceptional play in October, leading Inter Miami CF with 10 goal contributions. This marks his third Player of the Month honor this season, and he also secured the MLS Golden Boot, finishing with 48 contributions overall. As Inter Miami prepares for the playoffs against Nashville SC, Messi’s significant contributions could be pivotal in their quest for success, despite some defensive vulnerabilities in the regular season.
Miami, FL – Lionel Messi has been named MLS Player of the Month for October 2025, recognizing his outstanding performances that bolstered Inter Miami CF as they completed their regular season. Over the last three matches, Messi significantly impacted the team’s success by contributing a total of 10 goals and assists, with a mix of 5 goals and 5 assists.
His contributions were pivotal, as he played a direct role in the game-winning goal or assist in two of those matches. This achievement marks the third time Messi has received the Player of the Month honor in the 2025 season, having previously earned accolades in May and July. Beyond this recognition, Messi’s remarkable performance in October also secured him the MLS Golden Boot, finishing the season with an impressive 48 goal contributions, including 29 goals and 19 assists. This total is the second-highest in MLS history for a single season.
Notably, Messi is the only player in MLS history to record at least 36 goal contributions in a season on multiple occasions, having also achieved this feat during the 2024 season, where he finished with 20 goals and 16 assists. As the playoffs approach, Messi is setting his sights on becoming the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP awards.
Upcoming Playoff Matchup
Inter Miami is set to face Nashville SC in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The playoff series begins this Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium. Messi recently scored a decisive hat trick in a 5-2 victory against Nashville, signaling his readiness for the upcoming matches, even as he missed a training session due to minor back discomfort. However, he is expected to return to training on Wednesday, ensuring he will be fit for the playoff match.
Season Performance and Historical Context
Inter Miami completed the regular season in third place in the Eastern Conference, having led the league with a total of 81 goals scored but also conceded 55, indicating some defensive vulnerabilities. Last season, the team finished first but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, making their current playoff ambitions crucial. The players have voiced a determination to overcome past playoff failures, viewing it as motivation for their current campaign.
The playoff series format involves a best-of-three format, with penalty shootouts determining the winner if matches end in a tie after regulation. Should Miami progress past Nashville, they will next face the winner of the Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew matchup in the conference semifinals. All potential home playoff games for Inter Miami, including possible matches in the MLS Cup championship on December 6, will be hosted at Chase Stadium.
Expectations for the MLS Cup are high within the team, with players acknowledging Messi’s central role in their success thus far. The playoff series will be available for fans to watch on Apple TV, FS1, and FOX Deportes, and tickets are available through the official Inter Miami website, promising an exciting conclusion to the season.
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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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