Lionel Messi comments speak volumes after Inter Miami land MLS trophy

Inter Miami has won its second championship in as many seasons with Lionel Messi on the team, with the Argentina star helping them close the deal with a victory in Columbus.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have won the Supporters’ Shield for the first time, but the Argentina star isn’t about to take it easy.

The Major League Soccer season is divided into two stages. The regular season victors receive the Supporters’ Shield, while the coveted MLS Cup is awarded to the club that wins the season-ending playoffs.

Inter Miami missed the playoffs entirely in 2023, despite Messi’s arrival midway through the season, but they did win the League Cup. They’ve clearly prospered this season, with Messi and manager Tata Martino enjoying their first full season and Luis Suarez leading the scoring after signing from Gremio.

On Wednesday, goalie Drake Callender made a late penalty save to help the Florida team win 3-2 against Columbus Crew, assuring that the LA Galaxy cannot overtake them in the Supporters’ Shield battle. However, Messi demonstrated his desire for trophies by emphasizing that it will mean nothing if they do not follow it up with MLS Cup victory.

“I’m happy. “I’m happy we did it,” Messi told Apple TV (via ESPN) after the game. “At the beginning of the year, we knew this was a bunch that would battle for it.

“We took command from the start, and we asked the players to do it. I’m pleased to have achieved the first goal, and we’re now planning the second one.”

Messi also commented on the team’s ability to play front-foot football since Martino came charge and brought in Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. “Important players arrived to help the squad develop in terms of both game and personality. “We try to compete in every game,” he said.

Messi put Inter Miami up in Columbus, scoring twice soon before halftime. Diego Rossi pulled one back early in the second half, but Suarez swiftly restored the two-goal lead.

Cucho Hernandez, a former Watford forward, scored from the penalty spot and was given the opportunity to do so again following an Ian Fray handball. However, the Colombian international was unable to beat Callender the second time around.

By winning the Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami advances to the first round of the playoffs, where they will have home advantage as top seeds. They’ve also booked a berth in next season’s CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they want to improve on their quarter-final performance this season.

LA Galaxy are the favourites to join them as Western Conference champions, but they may yet be caught by LAFC. Four points from the remaining two games will seal the deal for the Galaxy, who face Austin on Sunday before wrapping out their regular season against the Houston Dynamo.