A hat-trick from Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami come from behind to win 5-2 at Nashville in their final game of the MLS regular season.
The visitors trailed 2-1 at the break, but Messi’s penalty drew them level before he struck again between efforts from Baltasar Rodriguez and Telasco Segovia.
Miami finished the regular season in third spot in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Philadelphia who had clinched top spot ahead of a final-day defeat in Charlotte.
⚽️ DECISION DAY RESULTS ⚽️
Messi delivers a hat trick, assist and three points for Miami. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/QSVKp4VtrM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2025
Messi, returning from international duty with Argentina, put Miami ahead after 35 minutes when he beat a defender before finding the net with a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Goals by Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg just before the break put Nashville in front, but Messi levelled from the spot just after the hour.
Rodriguez restored Miami’s advantage four minutes later and Messi completed his hat-trick, curling in a left-footed shot from the edge of the area for a league-leading 29th goal of the season.
He had a chance for a 30th in stoppage time, but slid the ball to Segovia who turned it into an empty net.
The defeat means Nashville finish sixth and will meet Miami again in the play-offs.
