- oleh Aditya Pranata
- nyala 24 Nov, 2025
On a cold November night in Cincinnati, Lionel Messi didn’t just play soccer—he rewrote history. The 37-year-old Argentine legend delivered a performance for the ages on the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference SemifinalTQL Stadium, guiding Inter Miami CF to a stunning 4-0 thrashing of FC Cincinnati. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. And for the first time in their seven-year existence, Inter Miami is headed to the Eastern Conference Final.
The Messi Masterclass
It started in the 19th minute. A quick one-two with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti, a fellow Rosario native, and Messi buried a bouncing header past Roman Celentano. That was just the opener. By the 74th minute, he’d added a second goal—his sixth in these playoffs—and three assists. His 12 total playoff contributions (6 goals, 6 assists) shattered the previous MLS record. No one had ever done this before. Not Zlatan. Not Bradley. Not even Beckham.
At one point, Messi stood alone in the box, left-footed shot aimed for the far post. It sailed wide. Fans groaned. Then, five minutes later, he threaded a pass through three defenders to Tadeo Allende, who made no mistake. The crowd fell silent. You could hear the weight of what was unfolding. This wasn’t just skill. It was precision under pressure. And it came from a man who could’ve been resting on his legacy.
Silvetti’s Moment, Allende’s Breakthrough
For Mateo Silvetti, it was the night he stopped being a prospect and became a player. His 57th-minute strike—a curling left-footed rocket from 25 yards—was pure instinct. Messi had set it up again, the same give-and-go that opened the scoring. The kid didn’t hesitate. He just let it fly. The stadium erupted—not just for Messi, but for him too.
Then came Tadeo Allende. The Argentine forward, often overlooked in the shadow of Messi and Jordi Alba, delivered his first multi-goal game in MLS. His second goal, a clinical finish after another Messi through-ball, was the dagger. Allende’s brace wasn’t luck. It was execution. And it was born from the space Messi created.
FC Cincinnati’s Heartbreak, Again
FC Cincinnati had no answer. Their coach, Patrick Timothy Noonan, said it plainly after the match: "We gave too much time to Messi. We didn’t protect that space." And he was right. Every time Cincinnati pressed, Messi slipped through. Every time they closed a passing lane, he found another. The 25,513 fans in attendance—sold out, electric—were left watching their team collapse under the weight of one man’s brilliance.
It’s the third straight year Cincinnati has been eliminated at home in the playoffs. They finished the regular season with 68 points, signed Brazilian midfielder Evander Silva do Nascimento and Burkinabé striker Kévin Yves Denkey to bolster their attack. But none of it mattered when Messi was on the pitch. Their best chance? A header from Ender Echenique to Evander in the first half. The shot went over. That was it.
A Club That Refused to Stay Small
Founded in 2018, Inter Miami CF was long dismissed as a celebrity project. David Beckham’s name was everywhere. Jorge Mas, the president, took flak for spending big. Critics called them a vanity team. But this season? They’ve been relentless. This was their 56th match of 2025. They’ve played in 12 countries. They’ve drawn crowds from Buenos Aires to Boston. And now? They’re one win away from hosting the MLS Cup on December 6 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Coach Javier Alberto Mascherano, the former Argentina captain turned tactician, knew this was their moment. Even after losing 3-0 to Cincinnati in July, he never wavered. "We don’t play for records," he said before the match. "We play to be the last team standing." Now, they are.
What’s Next?
Inter Miami will face either the Philadelphia Union, Supporters’ Shield winners with 72 points, or New York City FC, the fifth seed that upset the top-seeded Columbus Crew. Either way, the stage is set. If Inter Miami wins, they host MLS Cup on December 6. If they lose? They’ll have to travel. But make no mistake—this team is no longer underdogs. They’re contenders.
The Bigger Picture
Messi’s impact goes beyond stats. His 23rd assist of 2025 ties him for the league lead. He’s drawn record TV ratings. He’s sold out stadiums from Miami to Ohio. And he’s made MLS relevant in a way it hasn’t been since the 90s. The league’s growth isn’t just about money. It’s about moments like this—when a once-in-a-generation player chooses to play here, and changes everything.
For FC Cincinnati, the road ahead is harder. They’ll need to rebuild. For Inter Miami CF, the dream is real. And it’s just one game away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Messi’s 1g/3a performance rank in MLS history?
Messi’s 12 total playoff contributions (6 goals, 6 assists) in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs set a new single-postseason record, surpassing the previous mark of 10 set by Landon Donovan in 2011. His three assists in a single playoff game also tie the MLS record, last achieved by Sebastian Driussi in 2022. No player in league history has ever recorded a goal and three assists in a conference semifinal.
Why is this Inter Miami’s first conference final despite having Messi since 2023?
Inter Miami entered the 2025 playoffs as the No. 4 seed after a rocky midseason stretch, including losses without Messi and Jordi Alba. They only qualified because of a late surge in September and October, winning six of their final eight games. Their 2023 and 2024 playoff exits came in the first round. This year, deeper squad depth and tactical discipline under Mascherano finally allowed them to capitalize on Messi’s brilliance.
What role did Mateo Silvetti play in this victory?
Silvetti, a 19-year-old academy product from Rosario, scored his first MLS goal and delivered the most electric moment of the night with his 57th-minute strike. His movement off the ball created space for Messi, and his confidence in high-pressure moments signaled Inter Miami’s next generation is ready. He’s now the youngest player in club history to score in a playoff knockout match.
How did FC Cincinnati’s defensive strategy fail against Messi?
Cincinnati tried to double-team Messi in central areas, but that left wide spaces open for Silvetti and Allende to exploit. Their fullbacks were slow to recover, and midfielders failed to track Messi’s drifts into the half-spaces. When Messi received the ball with his back to goal, he consistently turned and played diagonal passes that bypassed the entire defensive line—something Cincinnati hadn’t prepared for in film sessions.
Where will the Eastern Conference Final be played?
The Eastern Conference Final will be hosted by the higher-seeded team. If Inter Miami advances, they’ll play at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on December 1 or 2. If Philadelphia or NYCFC win their semifinal, the match will be held at Subaru Park or Yankee Stadium, respectively. The winner hosts MLS Cup on December 6.
What does this mean for MLS’s global reputation?
Messi’s presence has already boosted MLS viewership by 47% since 2023, according to league data. But this performance—on a neutral stage, against a strong opponent, in freezing weather—shows the league can deliver elite drama without European backing. It’s no longer "What’s Messi doing here?" It’s "Why isn’t every top player here?"