Mitro's on fire, England should be terrified!

England should start Palmer vs Serbia & keep Saka on ice

How Man Utd punchline Rangnick has transformed Austria

Yamal can define a generation - the Euros will show why

Italy: The weakest defending Euros champions since Greece!

Martinez hails Messi for wonderful gesture in Argentina’s win

Liverpool PL 2024-25 fixtures to be released

Explained: Why McElhenney asked Reynolds to co-own Wrexham

Where to watch Copa America 2024 matches live in UK

Bayern accept Davies could leave for free amid Real links

Chelsea PL 2024-25 fixtures to be released

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Herons boast star-studded squad</li><li>Argentine icon a talismanic presence</li><li>Expected to compete on multiple fronts</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘Favourites because of Lionel Messi’ – Inter Miami billed as ones to beat in MLS Cup race by David Beckham’s former LA Galaxy team-mate Robbie Keane

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

Columbus Crew

LA Galaxy

New York City FC

<p>The Herons <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">collected a first major trophy in 2023</a> as eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi inspired them to Leagues Cup glory within weeks of his arrival in the United States. An <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/will-lionel-messi-play-again-this-season-inter-miami-tata-martino-injury-update-mls-play-offs/blt6fa6902208c20735 " target="_blank">untimely injury prevented him</a> from steering the Florida-based outfit into the play-offs.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="41" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" max-width="72" style="width: 72;height: 41;max-width: 72px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi is expected to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/trophy-lionel-messi-inter-miami-quadruple-usmnt-luis-suarez-sergio-busquets-jordi-alba/bltadf1dd39b3c25c14" target="_blank">push Inter Miami into contention for silverware on multiple fronts</a> in 2024, with domestic and continental honours there to be chased down by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-watch-out-inter-miami-lionel-messi-win-everything-2024-crazy-eighth-ballon-d-or/blt8adde7fc64f6ebb3 " target="_blank">the most-decorated player of all-time</a>. He will not have things all his own way, with the Galaxy and a number of other ambitious outfits determined to block his path, but the Argentine icon will take some stopping.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Three-time MLS Cup winner Keane admits as much, with the Irishman telling <a href="https://blog.betway.com/football/robbie-keane-klopp-is-one-of-the-premier-leagues-greats/ " target="_blank"><em>Betway</em></a>: “I’ll be watching MLS this season, as I always do. It was a big part of my career, being there five-and-a-half years and winning three championships, so I always look out for LA Galaxy. They haven’t had the best time in the last couple of years and with the history of the club they should be always fighting for the play-offs and the chance to win the MLS Cup. We know how difficult that league can be, but I hope they can hit a bit of form and get to the play-offs this season. You’d have to say Inter Miami are the favourites because of Messi. He’s a top player, and you look at the players that they’ve brought in, with the Barcelona guys coming back and Luis Suarez now there as well, it will be interesting to see. They’ve definitely got every chance to win the MLS Cup, no question about it.”</p>

WHAT KEANE SAID ABOUT MLS

<p>Inter Miami are off to a winning start in 2024, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-playing-free-tata-martino-reluctant-discuss-mls-play-offs-inter-miami-one-game/blt39b8ec292ce81606" target="_blank">overcome Real Salt Lake in their season opener</a>, and will be in California on Sunday – with the potential for more A-list guests in Hollywood – when they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-urged-avoid-lazy-nfl-taylor-swift-trap-lionel-messi-inter-miami-superstar-dominates-domestic-game-united-states/bltecadf45bddfe7742" target="_blank">line up against the Galaxy</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

‘Favourites because of Lionel Messi’ – Inter Miami billed as ones to beat in MLS Cup race by David Beckham’s former LA Galaxy team-mate Robbie Keane | Goal.com English Oman

Inter Miami are MLS Cup “favourites because of Lionel Messi”, says David Beckham’s former LA Galaxy team-mate Robbie Keane.