The pursuit of a historic first MLS Cup in Inter Miami has reached its most characteristic stage, and 38-year-old Lionel Messi is providing the season of even more impressive scope than he was expected to. With Miami to the final of the Eastern Conference against New York City FC, Messi continues to be the center of attention, with his otherworldly productivity driving the club to the levels it has never reached.
Messi was the master of the league statistics in this season where he scored 29 goal (completely five goals over the best goal scorer in the league) and 19 assists, a figure that put him at the top of the creative leaderboard in the league. What is even more impressive is the performance in the playoffs: 12 overall goal contributions, the largest in MLS history in a playoff, 6 goals and 6 assists.
Ever since the end of September, Messi has been unstoppable as he has made 22 goal contributions alone within that time. There are only five occasions when his direct involvement in his last 32 matches has not taken place. This kind of consistency has put Miami in a situation where the expectations are too high, not only on the fans, but on the entire league overall.
During the tenure of coach Javier Mascherano, the Miami defense has been on the steady but quiet improvement. Nevertheless, the tactical profile of the team lies in the fact, that Messi is able to turn a game with one piece of genius. There is a general consensus among analysts that Miami will not be able progress without NYCFC being able to disrupt the rhythm of Messi – which has been difficult to do by most teams in this year.
Victory would not only provide Miami with the first final in the MLS Cup, but it would also raise the chapter of Messi in America to a higher level. However, comes with that opportunity a significant amount of pressure: The inability to win the trophy would put in question Miami in maximizing the Messi era, particularly with the investment and talent behind him.
After all the story is there–as Messi goes so goes Inter Miami. And with the season finale on the anvil, it has never staked so much.
