AFCON 2025
Lionel Messi achieved two historic milestones on Saturday night as he led Inter Miami to a dominant 5-1 victory over New York City FC, clinching the Eastern Conference title—his 47th official trophy.
The Argentine maestro cemented his place in the record books by assisting Mateo Silvetti for the third goal, marking his 405th career assist to allegedly surpass Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas for the all-time record.
WE ARE EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS. 🏆💫
One down. One to go! pic.twitter.com/tPEXYrTg7i
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 30, 2025
The goalscoring heroics came from Argentine forward Tadeo Allende, who netted a hat-trick, with Telasco Segovia also on the scoresheet. Justin Haak scored the lone goal for New York as they suffered a heavy loss.
The win crowns Inter Miami as Eastern Conference champions, but the major honour, the MLS Cup, is next. Miami will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final on December 6.
Messi is one game away from securing his first MLS title and the 13th league championship of his career, where he will face Vancouver star and Germany international Thomas Muller for the seventh time.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano praised his team’s unity:
“We have reached the final with a brotherhood of moving forward. The power of one group can overcome many things.”
