Leo Messi in MLS Soccer

[Dylan]

Inter Miami wins the Leagues Cup beating Nashville SC on penalties. Messi gave Miami the lead with his 10th goal in 7 starts before Picault levelled the game.

Miami won 10-9 on penalties with their keeper Drake Callender the hero, scoring before saving the penalty from his opposite number.

Messi is unbelievable, shows up and plays for one of the worst teams in the MLS and wins a cup and scores at will.

They are a terrible team so this is quite an achievement.

 

[Black Sheep]

That's some goal for a final whatever league you're in

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1693075081788871090

Inter Miami before Messi this season :-

22 games, 5 wins, 3 draws, 14 losses, 22 goals scored. Currently ranked 29th out of 29th in the MLS.

Inter Miami after Messi :-

7 games, 5 wins, 2 draws (both won on pens), 0 losses, 22 goals scored. First trophy in club history.

 

[Tom]

The MLS makes Messi look like 20 again

I'm happy for him that he found his happiness after 2 miserable years in Paris.

 

[Mouth]

Miami are heavily dependent on Messi scoring or creating with very few touches in the game, and until they improve all over the field it will continue to depend on Messi carrying the side. This is of course the same team that scored 22 goals in 22 games. They have no goals at all without him.

This video does a great job of explaining just how much of an achievement this is for Martino and Messi compared to what it looked like prior, and how just having structure helped poorer players look considerably better.

 

[Best]

Another final for Inter Miami after they beat Cincinnati on penalties last night in the Open Cup (kinda like the FA Cup).

You have to watch the other players except for the Barcelona three to grasp how much worse they are overall than other MLS sides.

They can't do basic things right. Martino and Messi are working miracles right now.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

My only current joy in football is watching this wee man.

 

[Legion]

This was like watching prime Barcelona

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1695612901963280874

 

[Bingo]

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Inter Miami, keeping one of soccer's biggest names in the United States for the foreseeable future.

The new deal is for three years through the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. That will see him lead Miami into their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, next year and past his 40th birthday.

Miami announced the news with a video of Messi signing paperwork in the construction site of their new arena, accompanied with the caption "he's home". The announcement comes ahead of Miami's MLS play-off first-round game against Nashville on Friday.

"It makes me really happy to stay here and to continue with this project that, besides being a dream, has become a beautiful reality — playing in this stadium, at Miami Freedom Park. Since I arrived in Miami, I've been very happy, so I'm truly glad to keep going here," Messi said upon the announcement.

"We're all really excited about the moment when we can finally play at Miami Freedom Park. We can't wait for it to be finished — to experience it from the inside, in our new home, and for the fans to enjoy it as well. It's going to be something very special to play at home in such a spectacular stadium."

Messi has scored 71 goals and provided 37 assists in 82 appearances in all competitions for Miami.

The club won the Leagues Cup during his debut season and finished top of the overall standings in 2024 to win the Supporters Shield, qualifying for the Club World Cup, but were beaten in round one of the play-offs by Atlanta. Messi was voted MLS's MVP for 2024 after scoring 21 goals in 22 league appearances.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has registered 37 goals and 19 assists across 43 appearances in all competitions this season, with Miami finishing third in the Eastern Conference standings to qualify for the play-offs.

Messi's former Barcelona team-mate, Luis Suarez, is out of contract at the end of 2025, while Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have both announced they will be retiring at the end of the season.

Co-owner David Beckham added: "Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that's exactly what we have done. We brought the best player to have ever played the game to our city. That shows our commitment to Miami, but it also shows Leo's commitment to the city, to the club, and to the game.

"He's still as committed as he's ever been and he still wants to win. As owners, to have a player that loves the game as much as he does, and who has done as much for the game in this country and to inspire the next generation of young talent as he has, we feel very lucky."

 

[Bandit]

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Inter Miami, keeping one of soccer's biggest names in the United States for the foreseeable future.

Good for Messi, good for Miami. Great for the MLS, and it has been attendance-wise, but I thought he would have had a bigger impact on American sports. I really thought it would ignite a lot more U.S soccer interest.