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Lionel Messi's hat trick all but clinches MLS Golden Boot

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi struck a hat trick on the final day of MLS' regular season Saturday to all but clinch the 2025 MLS Golden Boot award.

Messi's three goals, along with an assist, helped Miami to a 5-2 win at Nashville SC and took the Argentina forward to 29 goals in just 28 regular-season matches.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is now almost certain to finish as MLS' top scorer for the first time since joining Inter Miami in July 2023.

- Messi tracker: All goals, assists, key moments

His nearest challenger, LAFC's Denis Bouanga, is five goals back and would need six goals against Colorado later Saturday to take the award.