Inter Miami have secured their place in the 2026 MLS playoffs, and the timing could not be better. A 2-0 home win over New York City FC at Nu Stadium, reported by GOAL, confirmed the Herons' postseason berth and extended a run of form that has seen the club win two of their last three league outings. Germán Berterame and Rodrigo De Paul got the goals, with Lionel Messi providing the creative spark that has become Miami's most reliable weapon in the final third.

The win follows an equally commanding 4-0 dismantling of DC United, covered by GOAL, in which Messi scored twice in the second half alongside a Luis Suarez brace. That result lifted Miami to second in the Eastern Conference, where they sit on 52 points from 29 games, 14 behind leaders Nashville SC but comfortably clear of the playoff cut-off, according to the latest standings data.

Messi's return to club football after his emotional Argentina farewell has given Miami a genuine lift. Coach Kily Gonzalez made clear, as GOAL reported, that the 39-year-old remains fiercely competitive and fully focused on domestic success. That attitude has shown on the pitch across both recent wins.

Miami now travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Atlanta United on October 17, confirmed by fixture data. With a playoff place secured, Gonzalez's side will be targeting a strong seeding as the regular season draws to a close.