Messi has become the player with the most titles of all time with 45, after winning the Copa America in mid-July with Argentina. The 37-year-old will break his own record when he and Inter Miami have the chance to win the Supporters’ Shield (for the team with the best record after the MLS scoring round).
Having drawn three consecutive matches recently, if they beat their direct competitor Columbus Crew (at 6:45 a.m. on October 3) away, Inter Miami will still be crowned the Supporters’ Shield early before the remaining two rounds. In case of a draw, to be crowned, they only need to gain two more points when they meet Toronto FC (3 a.m. on October 6) and New England Revolution (5 a.m. on October 20); if they lose, they need to win both remaining matches. This situation shows that Inter Miami is facing a great opportunity to win the second championship trophy in the team’s history, after the Leagues Cup championship in 2023, in which Messi himself contributed a large part.
Inter Miami currently has 65 points after 31 matches, 7 points ahead of Supporters’ Shield title rivals LA Galaxy (in the Western region); 8 points ahead of Columbus Crew (also in the Eastern region) and 9 points ahead of FC Cincinnati. Columbus Crew has 1 match left to play, but will soon face Inter Miami directly. Therefore, if Messi and his teammates win this important match, the Supporters’ Shield title race will soon be over. If so, Messi will have the opportunity to rest and prepare for the MLS Cup playoffs from the end of October. Inter Miami has now secured a place in the MLS Cup playoffs and a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2025.
Messi has returned to play in 4 matches since being injured in the Copa America final. He managed to score 3 goals and had 1 assist. These goals helped the Argentine star reach 841 goals in his career.
After winning the Supporters’ Shield, Messi will focus more on helping Inter Miami win the MLS Cup. This is the most prestigious and biggest championship title of the season in American football.