MIAMI: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi scored twice to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC on Friday in the opening game of their MLS Cup round one playoff series. Tadeo Allende also scored for Inter, who took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, with game two in Nashville on November 1. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was presented with the Golden Boot award before the game after topping the regular-season scoring chart with 29 goals in 28 games.

Inter Miami are hoping Lionel Messi can inspire them to a first MLS Cup win through the play-offs and cement his legacy in the league.

Argentina's Lionel Messi signed a new contract with Inter Miami earlier on Thursday keeping him in the MLS until 2028.