Best team ever? ‘MLS Cup or bust’ for Lionel Messi & Inter Miami as Argentine superstar was signed by David Beckham & Co to deliver ultimate glory

The Herons have assembled a star-studded cast at Chase Stadium, with co-owner David Beckham – courtesy of his standing as a Manchester United and England legend – able to attract top talent to Florida. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has been joined by the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

• Inter Miami/Instagram

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Inter Miami claimed a historic first trophy shortly after Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023, as they lifted the Leagues Cup, but failed to make the playoffs in said campaign. They are now Supporters’ Shield winners and could post the highest single season points tally in MLS history – with one more outing against the New England Revolution left to take in.

  • WHAT EX-USMNT STAR SAID

    Messi and Co will then open their quest for MLS Cup glory, with former USMNT star Herculez Gomez telling Futbol Americas when asked if the Herons are heading towards a standing as the best side MLS has ever seen: “If Inter Miami can win MLS Cup, it will be difficult for me to say there’s another team who has been better than them, because of the players they have, because of the staff, because of how they did it and how they continue to do it when nobody thought they could.

    “I raise my hand, I sat here and said: ‘There’s going to be a day where Messi is going to get injured, he won’t play all these games, the summer schedule this the summer schedule that,’ and I was right. But I was wrong with how the rest of Inter Miami under Tata Martino picked up the slack.

    “They didn’t miss a beat, and because of that, when Messi was back, they were Inter Miami again with Messi doing Messi things. So, MLS Cup or bust for them to become the best team ever, because that’s what he was brought here to do.”

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    WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

    Messi has delivered on his remit when it comes to raising the profile of soccer in the United States, with big money and household names flooding into the division. He remains under contract for at least one more year, so is not in all or nothing territory just yet when it comes to MLS Cup honours.