Lionel Messi’s most decisive week with Inter Miami: two futures await

Lionel Messi is heading into the most decisive week of his Inter Miami tenure. Since his 2023 arrival in Fort Lauderdale, key moments such as the Leagues Cup final, the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals and even the Club World Cup have faded into the background. This Saturday, the Argentine looks to take the first major step toward rounding out a week that could be defining for him both on and off the field in Major League Soccer.

He is on the verge of leading Inter Miami to the first MLS Cup in club history. A win would send them through as Eastern Conference champions and push him closer to finishing the year at the summit both individually and collectively.

In the coming days, Messi is expected to be officially named MLS’s 2025 MVP, a distinction he would earn for the second straight year. Unlike 2024, however, he now has the chance to add collective trophies to Inter Miami’s cabinet.

Messi has been central to Miami’s playoff surge. In the four postseason games they have played so far, he has contributed six goals and four assists – ten of the team’s 12 total goals.

That leaves him facing two possible outcomes as the MLS season reaches its climax.

The scenario that crowns Messi

The most favorable path for the world champion is winning on Saturday against NYCFC. That would clinch the Eastern Conference title and secure a place in the MLS Cup.

It would give Messi the chance to finish the year as conference champion, lift the MLS Cup and collect the league MVP award – a prize that seems all but headed once again to the home of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The scenario that dims the outlook

There is, however, another possibility – one where both individual and team ambitions fall short. If Inter Miami lose tonight to NYCFC, Messi’s only consolation would be the MVP award, a recognition of an outstanding season despite ending without a trophy.

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