Will Messi help bring record-breaking Inter Miami the MLS Cup?
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Author specializing in football in North America
Guided by Lionel Messi, Inter Miami has already won a trophy in 2024, capturing the Supporters' Shield by finishing first in the regular-season rankings of Major League Soccer. However, there is still more to achieve if they want to become champions.
On Saturday, the team secured a stunning 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution, featuring Messi's first hat-trick in Major League Soccer. This impressive win allowed them to claim the top position in the standings with an unprecedented total of 74 points, setting a record for the highest points ever earned by a team in MLS history.
In Major League Soccer (MLS), like in many American sports, the team that comes out on top in the regular season isn’t necessarily crowned the champion. Instead, the title goes to the team that triumphs in the playoff matches, which kick off this week.
This means that Messi, along with his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, will be playing some of their most important matches as members of Inter Miami in the upcoming weeks, under the guidance of ex-Barcelona and Argentina coach Tata Martino.
Messi Mania: Some Fans Feel Disappointed
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Lionel Messi has already claimed the Leagues Cup and the Supporters' Shield during his time at Inter Miami.
With the victory of the Supporters' Shield, Messi has secured two trophies since arriving in Miami. The first trophy was won just after he joined the team in July 2023, when he entered the spotlight of the newly expanded Leagues Cup tournament.
The Leagues Cup features all the teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) competing against those from Mexico's Liga MX in a tournament reminiscent of the World Cup, taking place in the middle of the season. It seemed designed just for Messi. Inter Miami emerged victorious, winning against Nashville in a penalty shootout during the final, but that was secondary. The real test for this team will come during the MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi's current goal is to win the top title in MLS. There’s a general feeling that it would benefit the league if he achieved this, as it would draw a lot of attention.
However, this has resulted in some negative reactions from supporters of other teams towards certain elements of the 'Messi craze.' Many fans feel that much of the spotlight in the league is understandably focused on Inter Miami and the Argentine legend.
When a team starts to find success or is predicted to do well, they often receive increased media attention. Consequently, they become the target that everyone aims to defeat.
Having a team that riles up the competition can enhance the competitive atmosphere of a league. This is particularly beneficial for newer leagues like MLS, where 18 out of 29 teams make it to the playoffs, there’s no conventional league champion, and relegation doesn't exist.
In the midst of everything, there's a widespread recognition that one of the greatest football players ever is currently showcasing his talents in the United States. Fans have gathered from all over the country to see Messi play.
If Inter Miami makes it to the end, it will be one of the most highly awaited MLS Cup finals ever, especially for those hoping to be there in person.
In terms of TV audiences, MLS has opted to prioritize putting Messi on an Apple TV subscription service, which may have limited their potential to reach a wider viewer base.
Veteran Stuck At Work, No Holiday Break
Even though Messi frequently vacationed in Miami prior to relocating there for his job, his experience in MLS hasn't been a leisurely break at the end of his career.
His commitment to achieving success with Argentina during the later stage of his international career is evident in how he behaves while playing for Inter Miami at the club level.
His role as captain is more than just a symbolic title. At 37, he is still very driven and eager to transform Inter Miami into a team that consistently wins.
He has actively engaged with the entire team, providing assistance to younger players like 21-year-old Diego Gomez, who is headed to Brighton, and 19-year-old local talent Benjamin Cremaschi. He has also developed strong connections on the field with Suarez, Busquets, and Alba.
Martino was the perfect choice for head coach to unify everything. He had coached Messi, Alba, and Busquets before, and he led Atlanta United to victory in the MLS Cup in 2018.
He and the sporting director, Chris Henderson, have built a well-rounded team that performs well, even when the star players are not on the field.
MLS continues its matches even during international breaks, which meant that Messi and Suarez were unavailable for several games due to being called up by their national teams. Additionally, the 2024 Copa America occurred during the MLS season, resulting in Inter Miami being without both players for five league matches.
Due to an injury sustained during the Copa America, Messi was unable to participate in the entire 2024 Leagues Cup, where Inter Miami was eliminated by Columbus Crew in the Round of 16. He also missed four more matches in MLS as a result.
During the nine matches without Messi, which coincided with the Copa America, Inter Miami managed to secure victory in eight of those games.
While Messi and Suarez played a significant role in Inter Miami's successful regular season, it was the team's impressive streak of victories without them that ultimately enabled the historic achievement of winning the Supporters' Shield.
Can Messi And Inter Conclude With Flair?
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Lionel Messi is a strong candidate for the MLS MVP award.
As Inter Miami heads into the play-offs, one of their main competitors is expected to be Columbus Crew, another team from the Eastern Conference. They have received a lot of praise for the thrilling style of football introduced by their coach, Wilfried Nancy.
Los Angeles FC, currently at the top of the Western Conference standings, along with their close rivals LA Galaxy, who are just behind them on goal difference, could also be a potential challenge.
Players and coaches from these teams will also be in the running for the league's individual honors. The Coach of the Year award will likely be a contest between Nancy and Martino. For the MVP, it’s down to Messi or Cucho Hernandez, the former Watford striker with the Crew. As for the Newcomer of the Year, it could be either Suarez or Gabriel Pec, the talented Brazilian winger from LA Galaxy.
The recipient of the Golden Boot has already been determined. It has been awarded to Christian Benteke, the former player of Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace, who has had an impressive season with DC United, finding the net 23 times in 30 games.
Suarez ended the season tied with Messi as Inter Miami's leading scorer, netting 20 goals in 27 matches. He maintained the impressive performance that had him score 17 goals in 33 games for Gremio in 2023, earning him the title of player of the year in the Brazilian league.
Even though Messi participated in just over half of the matches in the MLS for the 2024 season, he has proven to be one of the most effective players in the league, scoring 20 goals and providing 10 assists in 19 games. His impressive performance and overall influence have made him a strong contender for the MVP award.
Just by being part of the franchise owned by David Beckham, which became part of the league in 2020, he has played a key role in changing the team's fortunes. They went from finishing 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference in 2023 (27th overall out of 29 teams) to achieving a record-breaking performance in the 2024 regular season.
Miami's outstanding regular-season results provide significant advantages as they head into the playoffs. Being the top seed means they will enjoy home-field advantage throughout the tournament. If they reach the MLS Cup final, that match will take place at their home ground, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi raising the Supporters' Shield has elevated the status of the regular-season title. Coming from a background at Barcelona, where winning the league means being crowned champions, he and his ex-teammates undoubtedly appreciate the significance of this achievement. However, they understand that they're embarking on a new journey with different customs, and they are eager to thrive in this new environment as well.
In the next few weeks, we will find out if they will.
