Fresh off winning the MLS Golden Boot and being named a finalist for MLS MVP, Messi opened the scoring for the Herons in the 19th minute with a diving header off a cross from longtime teammate Luis Suárez, showcasing the 38-year-old’s off-ball smarts with deceiving runs into the box.

Messi was named a finalist for the MVP award Thursday along with Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Cincinnati’s Evander and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. The award is expected to be handed out before the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6.

Nashville SC faces Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in the first round of the MLS playoffs. Follow live updates from Game 1 at Chase Stadium.

Lionel Messi has agreed to a new contract with Inter Miami, ensuring he stays with the team as they move to a new stadium next year.

Messi led the league for shots, through balls and big chances created, outperforming his expected goals by more than six. He’s 13 goals over ‘average’ since joining Miami, keeping up the kind of finishing overperformance that has been a through line across his career.

A rather promising player, this Messi.On the night from Friday to Saturday, Inter Miami faced Nashville in the first round of the MLS playoffs.The Herons could, of course, count on Lionel Messi, who