Lionel Messi’s brace helps Inter Miami clinch playoff spot
Lionel Messi led to Inter Miami CF, marking twice in the second half to extend his counting to five goals in the last nine days, winning a 4-0 victory against the New York City FC on Wednesday evening at Citi Field and a place in the major league playoffs in 2025.
Miami’s head coach Javier Mascherano stressed that the team had achieved an important objective, but it was only the first stage of a club with aspirations to repeat itself as champions of the supporters shield.
“We are happy and with the tranquility of having achieved the first objective, which was to qualify for the playoff series. Now we will try to finish as high as possible in the ranking, which would allow us to have an advantage on the ground,” said Mascherano.
Messi had the opportunity to record a hat trick when Inter Miami obtained a penalty in the 83rd minute, but the Captain of the Herons chose to give his long -time teammate Luis Suárez the chance.
“He has done it too many times in his career. Sometimes he looks at some teammates who did not score and need a more than him goal,” added Mascherano.
“He tried to help this way. For me, it’s great. He tried to show everyone team spirit, trying to involve all the players who, in this case, had to score. So it’s great.”
Messi has managed two or more goals in eight of the last 12 Inter Miami games, becoming the fourth player in MLS history to record several goals in eight games in a single season.
The team will now focus on the match against the Toronto FC on Saturday evening while Inter Miami seeks to secure the 2025 supporter shield.
“We are happy because now we are officially qualified for the playoffs. It was very important for us. Now we have to continue to move forward,” said Mascherano.
“We know that we have two games in hand, so we will try to rest and recover before going to Toronto. We know how difficult Saturday will be because we have less than 72 hours to play, but we will try to play our best and win the game and qualify as high as possible. If we can win the five remaining games we have, it will be great and we will have this chance to fight remaining.”
Miami is in third place on the table of the Eastern Conference with 55 points in 29 games, two games behind the leaders Philadelphia Union.
