US Main League Soccer
Inter Miami 3 – 1 Nashville SC FT
Lionel Messi (proper) has scored 50 common season targets in MLS for Inter Miami [Getty Images]
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC of their opening play-off recreation and has “reset the trajectory for Main League Soccer”, in response to the league’s commissioner Don Garber.
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After signing a brand new three-year contract with Inter Miami on Thursday, Messi was awarded the MLS Golden Boot, as top-scorer within the common season, by Garber earlier than his double in a 3-1 win to start the best-of-three first-round collection on Friday.
The Argentina ahead joined Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain in 2023 and whereas now 38 and within the latter phases of his profession, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has continued to dazzle along with his performances within the US.
Named MLS Most Worthwhile Participant in 2024 after registering 20 targets and 16 assists, he’s in line to develop into the primary participant within the league’s historical past to win the award back-to-back after racking up 29 targets and 20 assists in 28 video games this season.
“I do not suppose we ever might have imagined that Leo would have been in a position to ship for this membership, for this metropolis and for this league the best way he had,” Garber stated.
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“He has reset the trajectory for Main League Soccer and we had been already doing fairly nicely. And I feel having three extra years is simply going to be one other present.”
However whereas the previous Barcelona star has collected loads of particular person accolades, Messi and Inter Miami are nonetheless chasing the MLS’ prime prize – the MLS Cup.
After topping the desk to win the 2024 Supporters’ Defend, the franchise, part-owned by David Beckham and coached by Javier Mascherano, got here up quick within the play-offs.
Inter Miami needed to accept third within the standings this season however made a successful begin to their play-off marketing campaign in recreation considered one of their first-round collection.
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Messi put them in entrance with a diving header within the nineteenth minute after a floated cross from ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
Tadeo Allende doubled the lead within the second half earlier than Messi bundled the ball residence from shut vary to ensure of the win in stoppage time.
Nashville pulled one again by way of Hany Mukhtar within the eleventh minute of added time however Inter Miami take a 1-0 collection lead into recreation two in Nashville on 1 November.
The collection winners will progress to the Convention semi-finals, from which level only one match will determine who advances.
The MLS Cup last can be a one-off recreation.