Home SPORTS MLS Playoffs: Can Messi Lead Inter Miami to Glory?

MLS Playoffs: Can Messi Lead Inter Miami to Glory?

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Inter Miami is on the cusp of a strong finish in the Eastern Conference, with the potential to secure second place with just two regular-season games remaining in MLS.


The MLS Cup playoffs feature a best-of-three series format for the first round, followed by single-elimination matches...


Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are gearing up for the MLS Cup playoffs, with their first challenge being a home game against Atlanta United. Given their strong regular season performance, Inter Miami is hopeful for a successful playoff run.


Inter Miami's schedule looks promising, with their final two regular-season games against Atlanta United and Nashville SC. A strong finish would secure their position and set them up favorably for the playoffs. With Messi's exceptional talent on the field, Inter Miami has a good chance of advancing in the tournament.


The team's success largely depends on Messi's performance and fitness. After missing several games due to injury, Messi is expected to return to the field soon. His presence significantly boosts Inter Miami's chances of winning.


The MLS Cup playoffs feature a best-of-three series format for the first round, followed by single-elimination matches. Inter Miami would need to win two games against Atlanta United to advance to the next round. If they succeed, they'll face either Orlando City or Charlotte FC in the next stage.



A Bold Move by Inter Miami

David Beckham and the Inter Miami board made a significant decision by appointing Javier Mascherano as the team's new manager, replacing Gerardo 'Tata' Martino. Mascherano, a former Argentina teammate of Lionel Messi, brings no prior experience managing senior men's teams, having only coached Argentina's youth sides. Despite this, he's tasked with leading Inter Miami, which boasts a star-studded lineup featuring Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.


Javier Mascherano's appointment is seen as a gamble, given his lack of senior managerial experience. However, his impressive playing career and success with Barcelona, where he won five LaLiga titles and two Champions League trophies, likely influenced the decision. Mascherano expressed his excitement about coaching Messi, calling it a “privilege” and highlighting the team's ambition and infrastructure as key reasons for joining Inter Miami.


With a long-term contract, Mascherano aims to build on the foundation laid by Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular-season record in MLS history. Mascherano's first challenge will be preparing the team for the 2025 season, which starts with training camp in January, and the FIFA Club World Cup starting in June. Given the talent on the team, fans are eager to see how Mascherano's coaching style will shape Inter Miami's future.


Inter Miami's gamble on Javier Mascherano as their new manager seemed to pay off immediately, with the team going unbeaten for eight matches before finally succumbing to a 4-3 loss at home to FC Dallas. However, their momentum was briefly disrupted by two more defeats in the next four games.




Since then, Inter Miami has regained their footing, losing only four more league matches out of 18 played. They've shown impressive attacking prowess, scoring at least three times in 10 of those games. With 72 goals scored already this MLS season, they lead the league in goals scored and assists.


Their current form suggests they're a force to be reckoned with, and their stats support this – they're ranked third in the Eastern Conference with 59 points from 32 matches, and their goal difference is an impressive +19. Can they maintain this momentum and make a deep playoff run?



Messi's Impact on Inter Miami's Success

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami's captain and 38-year-old talisman, leads the team to success with his exceptional skills. Currently joint top scorer with 24 goals alongside LAFC's Denis Bouanga, Messi's impressive performance includes 140 total shots, with 62 shots on target.


Messi's left-footed shots are particularly noteworthy, with 121 shots, surpassing his nearest competitor, LA Galaxy's Gabriel Pec, by 29 shots. His ability to lead by example and consistently deliver outstanding results makes him a vital component of Inter Miami's lineup.


Adapting to a New Era

Inter Miami will face a significant challenge with Sergio Busquets' retirement at the end of the 2025 season. Busquets has been instrumental in the team's success, providing exceptional passing skills and vision on the field. His 2,040 passes and 90% pass completion rate are impressive stats that will be hard to replace.


To cope with his retirement, Inter Miami is expected to bring in new talent to fill the gap. The club has already reached an agreement with Sergio Reguilon, a former Real Madrid player, to join the team as a left-back. Additionally, Inter Miami is reportedly negotiating with other top players to strengthen their squad.


The retirement of Busquets and Jordi Alba marks the end of an era for Inter Miami, but the club is working towards building a new team that can sustain success in the future. With Lionel Messi likely to renew his contract, the focus will be on finding players who can complement his skills and lead the team to continued success.


The recent retirement announcements of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will undoubtedly impact Inter Miami's playing style. Both players were integral to the team's success, with Busquets' midfield control and Alba's attacking prowess being key components.


Busquets, in particular, was the conduit for most of Inter Miami's moves, dictating the tempo of the game with his exceptional vision and passing range. His departure will leave a significant void in the team's creative department.


Alba's decision to retire follows Busquets', and both players will conclude their careers at the end of the 2025 MLS season. This marks the end of an era for Inter Miami, with both players contributing significantly to the team's success since their arrival in 2023.



Jordi Alba Joins Sergio Busquets in Retirement

“The moment has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life. I've decided to bring my professional football career to an end at the conclusion of this season,” he wrote on social media.


“I do so with complete conviction, peace and happiness. Because I feel I've walked this path with every ounce of passion I had, and now it's the right time to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”




Potential End of an Era for Messi

Lionel Messi's contract with Inter Miami is set to expire soon, sparking speculation about his potential retirement. With less than 100 days remaining on his current deal, fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the soccer legend. Given his age and achievements, it's widely assumed that 2026 might be the last year of his illustrious career.


Messi has hinted that he'll continue playing as long as he feels good and can contribute to his team's success. His plans beyond the 2026 World Cup remain uncertain, but it's likely that he'll retire from professional soccer shortly after. Inter Miami is reportedly negotiating a new deal with Messi, which could keep him with the club until the end of 2026.


The possibility of Messi's retirement has sparked discussions about his legacy and the future of soccer. As one of the greatest players of all time, his impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come. While there's no official word on his retirement plans, one thing is certain – Messi will leave an indelible mark on the world of soccer.


The Messi Era in MLS

The arrival of Lionel Messi in MLS has been a game-changer, elevating the league's profile and attracting new fans. While other big-name players like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have made significant contributions, Messi's impact on the league's growth and popularity is unparalleled.


As Messi continues to dazzle fans with his exceptional skills, his legacy in MLS will be remembered for years to come. For now, he and Inter Miami have the MLS Cup playoffs to focus on, providing an opportunity to end the year on a high note. The anticipation is building, and fans are eager to see what Messi and his team can achieve in the postseason.


What a fitting finale it would be for Messi, Busquets, and Alba to conclude their careers with an MLS Cup triumph, capping off their incredible journey with a lasting legacy. Given their talent and dedication, it's entirely plausible that these legends could script a fairytale ending to their illustrious careers.


Upcoming Matches

  • Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: MLS Cup playoff opener, October 11 or 12
  • Inter Miami vs Nashville SC: Regular season finale, October 18


The stakes are high, but with Messi on their side, Inter Miami has a strong chance of making a deep playoff run.


What do you think about Mascherano's chances with Inter Miami? Will he be able to lead the team to more success?


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