Inter Miami close out a record-breaking regular season and turn their attention to the MLS Cup playoffs, where they face seventh-seeded Columbus Crew in a best-of-three first-round series on November 21 at Chase Stadium. The stakes are high, but the Herons arrive with genuine momentum and a squad built around the most dominant individual performer in the league.

Lionel Messi finished the 2026 regular season with 26 goals and 17 assists across 31 appearances, becoming the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back Golden Boot awards, as [ESPN confirmed](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50411686/lionel-messi-mls-golden-boot-2026-winner-inter-miami). Head coach Kily Gonzalez has made no secret of his belief that Messi deserves a third consecutive MVP award. The 39-year-old also earned a return to the FIFPRO Men's World 11 for the first time since 2023, recognition that underlines how his influence has extended well beyond MLS.

The regular season ended with a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC, a result that cost Miami top spot in the Eastern Conference, with Nashville SC finishing first on 77 points. Still, second place and a Concacaf Champions Cup berth represent a solid platform. Off the pitch, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Messi has no intention of leaving on a winter loan, remaining committed to his contract through December 2028. Speculation over a potential Neymar reunion adds further intrigue to the club's roster planning, but the immediate focus is firmly on the playoffs.