Miami will host the winner of the Western Conference final, which is being played between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps later on Saturday.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano lavished praise on Messi and his team-mates after a performance he described as near-perfection.

In total, Messi’s assists span Barcelona (269), Argentina (60), Paris Saint-Germain (34), and Inter Miami (37).

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi ensured Miami would avoid a third first-round exit in four seasons.

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez will be suspended for Saturday's MLS winner-take-all playoff match against Nashville after kicking an opponent in last weekend's loss to the same team.

Lionel Messi conjured another moment of brilliance in the 90th minute when his sumptuous left-footed curler found the corner in Inter Miami’s 2-1 loss to Nashville SC on Saturday, levelling their first-round MLS Cup playoff series at 1-1 after Miami’s 3-1 win in the first leg on October 25. The strike was Messi’s 749th with his famed left foot -- nearly 84 percent of his career total -- taking his overall tally to 892 as he closes in on the 900-goal mark. In contrast, his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, now on 952 goals, has scored 182 goals (19.1 percent of his career total) with his weaker left foot. With 892 goals in 1,132 appearances, Messi looks set to reach the 900-mark faster than Ronaldo, who took 1236 games. Photo: Reuters

Messi stepped it up in the waning minutes, his awkwardly angled shot from the right in the 85th minute blocked and a blast from the center of the box saved in the 86th before he found the back of the net in the 89th.

Inter Miami's eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi remains the highest-paid footballer in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC's recent arrival Son Heung-min second, according to an updated salary list published on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi’s latest brace carried the usual brilliance but it was the unusual part of it -- a rare header -- that drew the biggest reaction as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 in the opening game of their MLS playoff series in Fort Lauderdale on Friday.

Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami which will see the Argentine superstar remain in Major League Soccer until the end of the 2028 season, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Messi, 38, finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, securing the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer.

Messi finishes the regular season with 29 goals while all but clinching the Golden Boot.

Lionel Messi scored twice to spark Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, seizing the lead in Major League Soccer's scoring table in a key victory for the Florida club.

The victory snapped a two-match winless streak for Inter Miami.

Suarez's second-half brace was in vain as a weary Miami -- playing their sixth game in 17 days -- ran out of steam before conceding two late goals at home in Fort Lauderdale.

Argentina superstar Messi had gone into Saturday's game in Toronto in blistering form, bagging five goals in his previous three appearances for Miami.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano believes Sergio Busquets’ retirement announcement can inspire his side to finish the season strong.

Another classic performance from Messi propelled the Argentine superstar to the solo lead on Major League Soccer's scoring list, taking him to 24 goals in 23 matches played -- two more than LAFC's Denis Bouanga.

The 38-year-old now has 22 goals in 22 matches played this season. With his seventh double of the MLS season he moved to the top of the league scoring list, passing England's Sam Surridge, who has 21 for Nashville.

An official announcement is expected within the next two weeks.