Despite nearing the end of his 22nd season as a professional footballer, there appears little sign that Lionel Messi's appetite for success and silverware is close to being satisfied any time soon.
The Argentine maestro has been instrumental in Inter Miami's historic run to a first MLS Cup final, which sees them take on Vancouver Whitecaps at their home ground of Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday evening.
After scoring 29 goals in 28 regular season games to seal a second successive Golden Boot, Messi produced a MLS record-breaking 13 goal contributions in the play-offs, with six goals and seven assists.
The 38-year-old bagged a double and set up another in the 4-0 Round 1 battering of Nashville that sealed a place in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. “I want to congratulate Leo for the game he played,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“He was the first one who guided us in high pressure. To see him press like that at 38 years old is crazy.”
He followed that up by scoring one and providing three assists as Cincinnati were brushed aside by the same scoreline in Ohio, with Mascherano hailing Messi and his teammates for playing “a practically perfect match” at the TQL Stadium.
“Weekend after weekend, he is incredible,” Mascherano added of his countryman. “It's a privilege to coach Leo.”
That sent Miami through to the conference final on Saturday, where New York City FC were thumped 5-1 with Tadeo Allende grabbing a hat-trick and Messi contributing a further assist.
“Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary,” said Mascherano, who played alongside Messi for Argentina and Barcelona. “He's someone extraordinary, someone we'll never see again.
“Today, perhaps we're surprised that he didn't score, but he gave us peace of mind with the third goal, an assist that only he can see. He practically sealed the game.”
After an unhappy end to his spell in France with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi joined a Miami side sitting bottom of the Eastern Conference in the summer of 2023.
His impact was immediate as Messi, assisted by his old Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, helped Miami win the Leagues Cup – their first trophy in what was only the club's third year of existence.
The trio of ex-Barca boys would soon become a quartet when Luis Suarez moved from Brazilian side Gremio ahead of the 2024 season that would ultimately end in a disapp
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