MLS is back, and so are Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. They kick off their 2025 league campaign at home to New York City on Saturday night on the back of a midweek Champions Cup matchup played in freezing conditions. Can they warm up in time for the new season?
By James Nalton
Is Messi still magic?
Many thought the 2022 would be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup, signing out with a long-awaited triumph with Argentina.
Having moved to one of the 2026 co-host countries to play his club football, and having been the standout player in MLS last season despite limited game time, he might be eyeing 2026.
But first, 2025. There are signs already that Messi is still magic after he scored the only goal in Wednesday night’s Concacaf Champions Cup meeting with Sporting Kansas City.
If he can log more minutes than the 1,756 he managed in MLS last season, he could break league records and come back for more in 2026 for both club and country.
Luis Suárez is back too
Having originally only signed a deal with Inter Miami until the end of 2024, Luis Suárez signed on for another year.
He retired from international football last season but feels his aching 38-year-old knees still have another MLS season in them.
While the physical speed isn’t there, the mental quickness and clever movement are, meaning he should still be among the goals in 2025.
The benefit of a warm-up match?
Inter Miami enter this game on the back of that 1-0 win in Kansas City, but despite a chance at pre-season competitive action, the conditions were far from ideal.
The temperature at kick-off was -14°C and such extreme weather as well as the travel involved might affect the players.
The competitive action might have been useful though, and the test for Miami this season will be on Javier Mascherano’s coaching and how the rest of their roster performs alongside Messi, Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets.
Do they have the quality depth and game plan to deal with the rigours of MLS and Concacaf? It doesn’t get much more rigorous than their midweek experience.
Improving on last season
Having topped the overall table with an MLS-record points haul in 2024, Inter Miami have one aim this time around — winning the MLS Cup.
Though the league leaders are celebrated and get to lift the Supporters’ Shield, the true champion in MLS is considered to be the post-season playoff winner.
Last season, that was LA Galaxy, as Inter Miami suffered a shock playoff exit at the hands of Atlanta United.
There is now only one aim for this team and that campaign won’t begin until October, but they will likely be in the running for the Supporters’ Shield again regardless.
Prediction
If pre-season is anything to go by, New York City will be without their best player, Santi Rodríguez, who has been linked to a move to Botafogo. Though Inter Miami might still be thawing out from the freezing temperatures of Kansas City, another narrow 1-0 win for Messi and co. might be on the cards.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.