Lionel Messi Nears Seventh Game in 21 Days as Inter Miami Faces Crucial Clash
Few—or almost none—are the adjectives left to describe Lionel Messi. Not even the passage of time has managed to curb his extraordinary abilities. And whenever he can, he shows he still has plenty left in the tank: in this Saturday’s match for Inter Miami against New England, the number 10 will reach his seventh game in just 21 days. He’s still playing like a kid.
But of course, it’s not like he’s just making brief appearances. In the six matches he’s already played, he went the full 90 minutes each time. After his emotional final World Cup qualifier with the Argentine National Team against Venezuela, Leo did not travel to Guayaquil to face Ecuador and instead dove headfirst into the Herons’ season. Charlotte, Seattle Sounders, DC United, New York City, Toronto, and Chicago Fire are the teams that have felt his impact during this stretch. Because he hasn’t just been on the pitch; he’s contributed significantly to Javier Mascherano’s side, scoring five goals and providing four assists.
His appearance this Saturday only fuels the excitement for everyone. It’s great news for Lionel Scaloni and his team, certainly, as he arrives with plenty of playing time ahead of the friendlies against Venezuela on Friday and Puerto Rico on Monday, October 13th. Looking ahead to what’s coming, Messi continuing to compete at a high level is reason enough to keep the smiles going that started this week with the unveiling of the World Cup ball.
Of course, because the number 10 was part of the exhibition for the ‘Trionda’, the official ball for the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico (its colors are a nod to the host nations) and for which the wait is getting shorter.
But before thinking about pulling on the Albiceleste jersey, Leo has a crucial clash to keep a hope alive that has been complicated by recent results. Because Inter Miami has not only fallen behind in the fight for first place in the Eastern Conference but also in the race for the Supporter’s Shield, the trophy awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season (which they won in 2024).
The mathematical chances are still there, yes. They are even kept alive by the fact that the team led by ‘El Jefecito’ has one game in hand (the match against Atlanta United still to be played). But besides the Herons needing to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance, they also need several results from other teams still in the title race to go their way. It’s a tough ask…
After the match, Messi will rest on Sunday and join the National Team training on Monday with Scaloni and the squad, right in Miami. In fact, after a full week of practice, the first match against Vinotinto (Friday at 9 PM) will be at the Hard Rock Stadium, where he and Rodrigo De Paul, among others, play their home MLS games. The World Cup is getting closer, and the number 10’s physical condition is a source of great optimism.
And yes, he’s the 38-year-old kid who never gets tired…
Ahead of the clash with New England, Javier Mascherano, head coach of the American team, spoke about the possibility of fighting for the Supporter’s Shield: “When finishing first is not in your hands, you have to do your job and hope destiny gives us a chance,” he stated.
In the same vein, ‘El Jefecito’ emphasized that they must focus only on themselves: “We turn this around by playing a good match and winning to get a good feeling.”
