News Summary
Lionel Messi has been awarded MLS Player of the Month for October after an outstanding performance with Inter Miami CF, contributing 10 goals in his last three matches. This marks his third Player of the Month honor for the season, securing him the MLS Golden Boot with a total of 48 goal contributions. As Inter Miami prepares for the playoffs against Nashville SC, Messi’s potential return from a minor back issue brings hope for the team’s success, with high expectations for winning the MLS Cup this year.
Miami, FL – Lionel Messi has been named MLS Player of the Month for October 2025 after a remarkable performance helped Inter Miami CF finish the regular season on a high note. In the last three matches, Messi contributed a total of 10 goals, including 5 goals and 5 assists. He played a pivotal role in two of those matches, directly contributing to the game-winning goal or assist.
This recognition marks the third time in the 2025 season that Messi has earned the Player of the Month honors, joining the ranks of his achievements in May and July. His stellar October performance secured him the MLS Golden Boot, concluding the season with 48 goal contributions (29 goals and 19 assists), which is the second-most in a single season in MLS history.
Messi stands alone as the only player in MLS history to record at least 36 goal contributions in a season multiple times. He initially accomplished this feat in the 2024 season, when he scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists. Now, he is eyeing a unique accomplishment: becoming the first player in MLS to win back-to-back MVP awards.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to face Nashville SC in a Round One Best-of-3 Series of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. This matchup is scheduled to begin on Friday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium.
Although Messi missed a training session earlier this week due to minor back discomfort, he is expected to return to practice on Wednesday and should be fit for the playoff match. Recently, he scored a hat trick in a crucial 5-2 victory over Nashville in the regular-season finale, adding to his impressive resume.
Inter Miami’s performance this season has seen them finish in third place in the Eastern Conference, a decline from their first-place finish the previous year. They were unable to defend their title for the Supporters’ Shield and are determined to overcome past playoff disappointments, as they have never advanced past the first round in their history.
Players and coaching staff have emphasized the importance of learning from previous playoff failures as motivation for the current campaign. Despite leading the league with 81 goals, Miami has shown defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded 55 goals throughout the season.
The playoff series against Nashville will follow a best-of-three format, with penalty shootouts employed to determine winners in the event of tied matches after regulation time. If Inter Miami progresses, they will face the winner of the Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew match in the conference semifinal.
Chase Stadium will serve as the host for all potential home playoff games, including possible matches in the MLS Cup championship on December 6. The team is carrying high expectations for winning the MLS Cup, and Messi’s impact remains central to their success.
The playoff series against Nashville kicks off on Friday at 8 p.m. ET and will be available for viewing on Apple TV, FS1, and FOX Deportes. Tickets for the playoff matches are available through the official Inter Miami website.
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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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