Overview

• Lionel Messi finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists for 48 goal contributions, leaving him one shy of Carlos Vela’s 2019 record.
• Inter Miami secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed and will meet Nashville in a best-of-three first-round series beginning October 24.
• He became Inter Miami’s first Golden Boot winner, shared the league lead with 19 assists, and set a single-season mark with 28 non-penalty goals, according to multiple reports.
• Head coach Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s performance and said he expects him to be named MVP, with the league’s award yet to be formally confirmed.
• Fabrizio Romano and ESPN report that Messi’s multiyear extension with Inter Miami is close, with final details being negotiated.