Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to a 4–0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday night, sealing the Herons’ spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs while also taking the 38-year-old top of the Golden Boot standings.
Batlasar Rodriguez opened the scoring just ahead of halftime, before the former FC Barcelona duo of Luis Suárez and Messi netted in the second half to seal the three points.
Suárez’s goal came from the penalty spot, as he returned to the lineup for the first time since the 2025 Leagues Cup final loss to the Seattle Sounders, having been suspended three games for the spitting incident that boiled over post-match.
Meanwhile, Messi’s strikes in the 74th and 86th minutes lofted him into first place in the MLS Golden Boot race with 24 goals and 12 assists on the season, ahead of surging LAFC winger Denis Bouanga, who has seven goals in his last three matches.
The win moves Miami to third in the Eastern Conference and second in points per game, as they continue to chase a top-four spot, which would give them home advantage in the best-of-three first round of the postseason.
