A rampant Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to seal Major League Soccers Golden Boot award on Saturday as Inter Miami roared into the playoffs with a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC.
The Argentine superstar tallied an astonishing 29 goals from 28 matches, with Los Angeles FCs Denis Bouanga and Nashvilles Sam Surridge tied for second best with 24 goals.
Messi claimed his first MLS Golden Boot and also staked his claim to a second straight Most Valuable Player award with a bravura performance that saw Inter rally to clinch third place in the Eastern Conference.