October 3 – Inter Miami won their second major trophy and 1st MLS Supporters Shield after beating the Columbus crew 3-2, thanks to two goals from the GOAT, Lionel Messi.
With two matches left in the regular season Inter Miami still have the opportunity to break the league’s points record of 73 set by the New England Revolution in 2021. With Messi approaching peak form after missing 18 of Miami’s 31 regular season matches because of injury or national team play, Inter Miami enter the playoffs on October 25 as the hot favourite.
Winning the Supporters Shield has also guaranteed the club a place in next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
The Argentinian maestro has now won 46 major trophies in his illustrious career and will appear in the MLS playoffs for the first time after missing out last season.
“I am very happy for this group of players,” Messi said. “We talked about this at the beginning of the season. We knew we had the team to compete for this type of award. We have the players to do it. I am happy to have accomplished this first objective. Now we have to focus on what’s next.”
In just the 4th season of play, Inter Miami has justified part owner and former MLS star, David Beckham’s expensive gamble. With the highest payroll in MLS, of approximately $41.68 million, and a star-studded cast, including the likes of Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, the team has shown that age is just a number. Beckham will also feel satisfaction as well as vindication in bringing the old gang from FC Barcelona to American shores.
In a quirk that is unique to Major League Soccer, although winning the Supporters Shield is the equivalent of becoming a league champion, the real trophy that the club wants to win is MLS cup.
Argentinian manager Tata Martino told The Athletic that winning the Supporters Shield wouldn’t outshine winning the MLS Cup. “The thing is when you win MLS Cup you earn that star above the badge,” Martino said. “The day that I’m given a star for winning the Supporters Shield, in that case, it will be worth it.” The Argentinian knows what he’s talking about as he has already lifted MLS Cup with Atlanta United in 2018.
For Lionel Messi, winning the MLS Cup, would represent yet another notch on his already groaning belt of titles. With next season, probably his last, it already seems preordained that he will lift the FIFA Club World Cup, and permanently cement his place as the world’s greatest ever player and serial trophy winning machine.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734919176labto1734919176ofdlr1734919176owedi1734919176sni@o1734919176fni1734919176