In a home-and-away series-deciding match of the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, Inter Miami left it late with a flashy 4–0 triumph at Nashville SC, propelling them to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Messi did not just score twins but also gave two assists, thus reaching an extraordinary milestone of 400 career assists while his overall goal tally stood at 894 for both club and country.
The 38-year-old has been directly involved in every Miami goal across the three-game series, finishing the round with five goals and three assists. His record of assists is his entire footballing journey: 303 with Barcelona, 35 at PSG, 39 with Inter Miami, and 63 for Argentina meaning he is only four away from Ferenc Puskás’s all-time record of 404.
Messi’s influence wasn’t just his amazing ideas and putting the ball in the net but also his work off the ball. “It’s insane for him to lead the press at 38,” said coach Javier Mascherano. “We all know what he can do with the ball, but what he did without it was impressive.”
Inter Miami will be to facing FC Cincinnati, the second seed, in the semifinal match. They will be looking to go deep into the postseason further than ever before in the history of the club.
