Lionel Messi at the heart of Inter Miami’s victory
Lionel Messi inspires Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS triumph after helping the Herons overcome Vancouver Whitecaps in a 3-1 victory. Messi also extended his lead as the most decorated player in football history by adding yet another trophy to his collection. This capped off a perfect season for the Argentine maestro, who also secured the Golden Boot, the MVP, and lifted the Eastern Conference trophy prior to the victory on Saturday. Not to mention, Messi was also the top scorer at the CONMEBOL qualifiers, showing that he is still more than capable of delivering on the biggest stage.During this discussion, we will unpack how Messi inspired the Herons to their first MLS triumph, as well as how his strong individual season could factor into whether he decides to play in the 2026 World Cup.
2025 one for the books
2025 will go down as one of Lionel Messi’s best-ever individual seasons and his best yet since joining the MLS, with the Argentine proving once again that he still has not lost his quality. La Pulga recorded 43 goals and 25 assists, making it 68 goal contributions for the whole year. Messi’s creative instincts once again came to the fore as he produced two game-changing assists in the final against Vancouver. His playmaking ability helped the Herons take advantage of loose spaces, which got them into dangerous positions to create chances and score. His ability to contribute to the attack in various ways, by either scoring or assisting, adds to his unpredictability, making him more difficult to read.
Could Messi’s 2025 form indicate a possible 2026 WC appearance
Given that Messi is in red-hot form and that he only suffered two injuries this year, it increases his chances of making an appearance in North America this summer. With the World Cup around the corner, this could prove that Messi is still capable of delivering the goods for Argentina. Messi had previously stated that if he was not in good physical condition, he would not play to avoid burdening the team. Argentine coach Scaloni expressed his desire to see his captain at the World Cup, even stating that “Messi would always have a place in the team.” Having Messi in the side will be a huge boost, with the Argentine maestro at the heart of their 2022 triumph. Messi’s inspiring leadership as well as his mesmerizing performances, will be key to Argentina’s chances of retaining the World Cup this summer.
