On a chilly Sunday evening in Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF didn’t just win — they rewrote history. A 4-0 demolition of FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on November 23, 2025, sent the Florida club to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time ever. And the architect? Lionel Andrés Messi, who delivered a performance so staggering it’ll be replayed for decades. One goal. Three assists. Twelve total goal contributions in a single MLS postseason — a new league record. And with those three assists, he tied Ferenc Puskás for the most assists in football history: 404.
A Night That Ended Cincinnati’s Season in Minutes
It started quietly. Both teams looked evenly matched through the first 15 minutes. But then, in the 19th minute, everything changed. Messi, drifting inside from the left, timed a run perfectly to meet a low cross from Mateo Silvetti. He didn’t even need to adjust — just a firm header off the front post, past goalkeeper Przemysław Tytoń. The stadium fell silent. The crowd, still buzzing from their 3-0 home win over Miami in July, had no answer.At halftime, the score remained 1-0. But the game had already been decided. Inter Miami controlled possession like a predator waiting to strike. And in the 57th minute, they struck again. Silvetti, who had been quiet all season, pounced on a loose ball after a Messi through-ball split the defense. First-time, left-footed, into the far corner. 2-0. The noise from the Miami bench? Deafening.
Then came the avalanche.
Just five minutes later, Tadeo Allende — the Argentine winger who’d barely registered in the regular season — buried a low drive from the edge of the box after a perfectly weighted pass from Messi. 3-0. By the 74th minute, Allende was celebrating his second goal, slotting home a rebound after a Silvetti shot was saved. Four goals. Four different scorers. Eighteen minutes of pure, unrelenting dominance. FC Cincinnati’s official recap said it best: “In the span of about 18 minutes, FC Cincinnati’s season went from on the brink, to over.”
Messi’s Numbers Are Beyond Belief
Let that sink in. Twelve goal contributions in one MLS postseason: six goals, six assists. No one in league history has ever come close. Before this, the record was held by Cristian Roldan (10 in 2022). Messi didn’t just break it — he obliterated it.And the assists? Three more on Sunday pushed him to 404 for his career. That’s not just MLS. That’s all professional football. He’s now tied with Puskás, the Hungarian legend who dominated the 1950s. The fact that he did it at age 38 — in a league many still call “retirement-friendly” — is absurd. He’s not just playing. He’s rewriting the rules.
What’s even more remarkable? This was Messi’s third game at TQL Stadium. In July, Cincinnati crushed Miami 3-0. In 2023, he led Inter Miami to a U.S. Open Cup win over them. Now? He’s the only player to ever score and assist in three different matches against the same team in competitive play — and win all three. That’s not luck. That’s mastery.
Who’s Next? The Road to MLS Cup
Inter Miami now faces either the Philadelphia Union or New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final, scheduled for November 29–30, 2025. The winner of that tie — set to be decided later that same night as Miami’s win — will host the final at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on December 6, 2025.The Western Conference is still undecided. Vancouver Whitecaps FC edged LAFC in a penalty shootout on November 22, while Minnesota United FC and San Diego FC were set to clash on November 24. Whoever emerges will face Inter Miami in what could be the most anticipated MLS Cup final in history.
Why? Because if Miami wins, it’s not just a trophy. It’s validation. For a club founded in 2018, built around a 38-year-old legend who could’ve retired anywhere, this is the moment they were created for. The MLS Cup trophy has never been won by a team with a single player as its defining force. Messi might change that.
Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch
This isn’t just about soccer. It’s about legacy. Messi’s presence turned Inter Miami from a novelty into a powerhouse. Ticket sales surged 300% since 2023. Merchandise revenue hit $2.3 million in October alone. Cities like Cincinnati, which had hoped to build their own identity around a competitive MLS team, now face an uncomfortable truth: sometimes, one player can shift the entire balance of power.And yet, Inter Miami didn’t win because of Messi alone. Silvetti’s breakthrough goal was his first for the club. Allende, a 22-year-old from Córdoba, scored twice in a playoff game most thought he’d barely get a chance to play in. The defense held Cincinnati to zero shots on target after the 60th minute. This was a team performance — but it was orchestrated by a man who’s already won everything.
What happens if they win the MLS Cup? He’ll be the first player to win league titles in Spain, Argentina, France, and the U.S. — in four different continents. No one else has done that. And he’s still playing like he’s 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect Inter Miami CF’s legacy?
If Inter Miami CF wins the MLS Cup, they’ll become the first team in league history to claim the title with a single player accounting for more than half of their postseason goals and assists. Their rise from expansion side to champion in just seven years — anchored by a global icon — redefines what’s possible in American soccer. It also sets a new benchmark for how star power can elevate a franchise’s global profile.
Why is Messi’s 404 assists tied with Puskás significant?
Ferenc Puskás scored over 700 goals and recorded 404 assists across 500+ games for Hungary and Real Madrid in the 1940s–50s — a feat accomplished before modern analytics, TV replays, or structured youth academies. Messi matching that number in an era of high-intensity, high-pressing football, with far more games played, makes it arguably more impressive. Few players in history have combined longevity, consistency, and creativity at this level.
Who are Inter Miami’s likely opponents in the Eastern Conference Final?
The Eastern Conference Final will pit Inter Miami against either the Philadelphia Union or New York City FC, who were playing on November 23, 2025, after Miami’s match. Both teams are well-organized, defensively solid, and have deep playoff experience. NYCFC, in particular, has beaten Miami twice this season, making them the more dangerous matchup on paper — but Miami’s form, especially with Messi in peak rhythm, makes them favorites regardless.
What’s at stake for FC Cincinnati after this loss?
For FC Cincinnati, this defeat ends their most successful season ever — they finished second in the East with 61 points. But losing 4-0 at home in the playoffs, especially after beating Miami 3-0 in July, is a psychological blow. It raises questions about their ability to compete with elite teams under pressure. With key players like striker Christian Rios and captain Luciano Acosta entering contract years, the club may face major roster changes in 2026.
Could Messi play in the MLS Cup final even if he’s injured?
Messi has played through minor injuries all season, including a hamstring strain in September. But with the MLS Cup final just over two weeks away, Inter Miami’s medical staff is being cautious. If he’s not 100% by December 6, they’ll likely rest him for the final group stage match before the final. But given his track record — he played through a broken toe in the 2022 World Cup — don’t count him out. His presence alone changes the game.
How does this impact MLS’s global reputation?
This performance is a watershed moment. For the first time, a global icon isn’t just a marketing tool — he’s delivering historic, game-defining performances in the MLS playoffs. Networks like ESPN and Fox Sports reported record streaming numbers during the match. International broadcasters are already negotiating rights for the final. If Inter Miami wins, the MLS Cup could become a global event, not just a domestic one.
