How Much Longer Can We Enjoy Messi in the MLS? | OneFootball

Messi arrived, stole our hearts, and while he hasn’t yet brought home that elusive MLS Cup for Inter Miami, who’s really complaining? We’re witnessing history. But let’s be real here, every single minute he spends on that field means more than ever. That almost magical rhythm to his steps, that unmistakable touch, the passes that seem like they’re coming from another galaxy... it’s a privilege that only a few will ever get to witness live. The question is: how much longer will we have this?

Messi’s third season with Inter Miami is already underway, but the truth is, there’s no time to waste. Each game he plays is a reminder that we’re watching the tail end of an era. The team’s situation, still far from securing that highly sought-after MLS Cup, only makes this season feel heavier. Messi’s getting older, his glory days are shrinking, and the truth is simple: this is our last chance to see the legend in action. So yes, we need to savor every second he’s on the field because, let’s face it, he won’t be playing forever.

As for Inter Miami, the road ahead is long. Having Messi isn’t enough. The club has a mountain to climb if they want that title, and it’s no easy feat. The team’s plans are full of high expectations, but there’s also a ton of pressure on the players. After all, a team with Messi on it should be winning, right? At least, that’s what the fans expect.

And yet, Messi remains, hands down, the focal point of the team. Every time he pulls off a brilliant move, all eyes are on him. But as much as he’s the star, Inter Miami can’t just be a team that “has Messi.” He’s the gem, but without the right setting, it’s just a rock. The truth is, Messi might be the greatest player of all time, but without a team to back him up, all that talent doesn’t mean much.

Now, in a surprising twist, Inter Miami has brought in a familiar face from Messi’s past to join the coaching staff: Javier Mascherano. Yep, that Mascherano, the one who fought alongside Messi at Barcelona for so many years. He’s now stepping into the role of head coach, despite having very little experience in the job. Bold move, risky even. Let’s be honest: what does Mascherano really know about coaching a team fighting for titles in the MLS? He knows the game, for sure, but does he have what it takes to be the leader on the sidelines? This move raises a lot of questions about the future of Inter Miami.

Inter Miami is betting on something that doesn’t exactly have solid data backing it: the chemistry between Mascherano and Messi. The friendship, the years spent together at Barça. It’s like they’re trying to recreate that Barcelona magic. But can that magic really translate to the MLS, where competition is fierce, and teams are still growing? It’s a lot of pressure on Messi, who, now more than ever, has to be the guiding light, not just for his teammates, but for his new coach too.

This Miami drama, of course, adds an extra layer of excitement to the league. It’s not just about watching Messi on the field, but about seeing a project unfold. About seeing what happens to the MLS with this kind of investment, where the focus isn’t just on individual talent, but on trying to build something that lasts. Maybe the biggest challenge for Inter Miami isn’t even winning the MLS Cup; it’s figuring out how to keep this team sustainable after Messi’s gone. It’s tough to picture the MLS without him, but what happens next? What will be left? Or better yet, what can they create from all of this?