Messi and Surridge Duel for Golden Boot in MLS Season Finale

The 2025 MLS regular season is set to conclude on October 18th, 2025, with a crucial matchup between Inter Miami and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The match holds significant implications, as both teams vie for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

At the heart of the story is a captivating Golden Boot race between Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Nashville's Sam Surridge. Messi currently holds a two-goal advantage over LAFC's Denis Bouanga, while Surridge trails Messi by three goals. The final match of the season presents a chance for Surridge to close the gap and potentially claim the coveted individual honor.

Beyond the individual accolades, the match also carries high stakes for the teams' postseason aspirations. With a win, Nashville could climb as high as fourth in the Eastern Conference, while a loss could see them drop as low as eighth and into the Wild Card round. Inter Miami, on the other hand, have a chance to secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference, which would grant them home-field advantage through the second round of the playoffs.

The match will also be an emotional occasion for Nashville, as they bid farewell to longtime defender Taylor Washington, who has announced his retirement after seven years with the club.

As the curtain falls on the 2025 MLS regular season, fans can expect a thrilling encounter filled with goals and high drama, as Messi and Surridge battle for the Golden Boot and their respective teams fight for playoff positioning.