Lionel Messi has been one of, if not the best, player in the World since debuting with Barcelona in 2004. The short, skinny kid with the awkward haircut has put together one of the most impressive resumes the game has ever seen.
Dominating the Spanish and world stages made him a household name to soccer fans across the globe. The only market where he was relatively unknown was in America. As Messi entered the market in 2023, we are now seeing firsthand how good he is.
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Carrying an Aging Squad
Messi’s age is no secret. the 38 might be a step slower compared to his early days in Spain. He is still able to unlock his skill when needed and make wonder goals when his team needs him the most.
The squad around him has aged as Miami has brought in his former teammates from various points in his career. Many of his teammates have been brought back from his past, has had moments where they look good and reliable at times.
For a majority of the 90 minutes in a game, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets look slow and old as they lag behind the rest of the field, which is younger and faster despite not being as skilled.
Messi has had to carry them at times when it comes to creating chances and scoring goals when they are needed the most. Suarez and Busquets have had their moments together, but have failed to have anywhere near the same number of quality moments as Messi.
Miami, being a top-five team in the East, and the Supporters Shield hunt has been mainly due to Messi and his multiple goal performances that he seems to have every game.
Without these performances from the Argentinian national, Miami may be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race.
Multiple Goal Performances
His 18 goals are the most in the league as he leads the next closest player by one goal. He has had more multiple-goal games than anyone in a row in the history in the league.
His five straight games of multiple goals entered him into the top goal scorer conversation, and he proceeded to take the top spot.
This multiple-goal stretch has been one of the most impressive runs that we have seen in the MLS. We haven’t seen a dominant stretch from a player like this since Zlatan Ibrahimovic had his remarkable run with the LA Galaxy in 2018.
Assuming Messi continues this impressive form as we prepare to enter August and approach the playoffs, he could easily win the MVP award with no real contender behind him.
Riqui Puig, missing the majority of the season for the LA Galaxy, gives us a big what-if story on a two-man race for the MVP award. Messi won the award last year, but that didn’t stop many public voices in the sport from supporting Puig’s claim for the award.
This year, we could have had the same fight for MVP if Puig was healthy to play this year. Despite the what if story’s Messi has been on a legendary run that will forever cement him as not just one of the best MLS players ever but one of the very best to ever play the game.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date 18.07.2025