‘Kid playing & doesn’t want to lose’ – Lionel Messi earns ‘soul’ praise from Inter Miami boss as evergreen Argentine GOAT remains source of inspiration in MLS

It appeared as though Messi would suffer a first competitive defeat of 2025 on the opening weekend of MLS action, but he provided two assists as the Herons snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with New York City FC in the 100th minute.

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The hosts took an early lead at Chase Stadium, but were reduced to 10 men midway through the first-half when Tomas Aviles saw red. Telasco Segovia rescued a point in the closing stages, with Messi – the reigning MVP of MLS – stepping up to provide much-needed creativity.

Mascherano believes the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner offered a bit of everything to the Inter Miami cause against NYCFC, with the evergreen 37-year-old showing no sign of slowing down as he continues to demand the highest standards of himself and those around him.

Mascherano told reporters: “Messi is the soul of this team. You saw this on the pitch. He is a kid playing and he doesn't want to lose. So for us it's a big big advantage. So we just need to keep him with this spirit. Because it's not just what he does on the pitch.

“It's what he translates to his team-mates and all that he does with his 37 years. He's not just playing in attack, he helps us in defence, running the centre-back, running the whole midfield. So he's magnificent.”

Messi registered his first competitive goal of 2025 in the first leg of Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Sporting KC in freezing Kansas and will be looking to complete that job on Tuesday when a return date in Florida is taken in.