The ‘greatest’ showman! Lionel Messi ‘will do the impossible’ in pursuit of more trophies as Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano lauds Argentine GOAT

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi already has a historic haul of major honours to his name, with that record-breaking collection taken to 46 during the 2024 MLS campaign - as he helped to deliver Supporters’ Shield success in South Florida.

Inter Miami are competing on multiple fronts in 2025, with a run to the semi-finals of CONCACAF Champions League competition already being enjoyed. Messi bagged a stunning brace in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with LAFC in order to keep the Herons in the hunt for a continental crown.

Mascherano told reporters afterwards of his fellow Argentine: “Messi is the soul of this team. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I've known him for 20 years now, and I have to help him in this stage of his career.

“He's a guy who has everything in football. He's the greatest in history, and he's still making the path and guiding the new generations beyond having won everything until the last day he plays on the pitch.

“He wants to win and will do the impossible. Football is just about wanting, but you have to be able. And he has that ability because he is the greatest of all.”

LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo admitted that, after keeping Messi quiet in California, his side found it impossible to contain the GOAT. He said: “Look, you're talking about one of the greatest to ever play this sport. And from my liking, the second half, you had a little too much freedom.

“We couldn't get enough pressure on him. I thought in the first leg we did an excellent job. In the second, I think it was a little too much freedom. We couldn't get enough pressure on the ball, and you know he's going to punish you as well as his team-mates. I think that's part of what makes him so good. He makes his team-mates better.”

Inter Miami are marching on to a semi-final showdown with the Vancouver Whitecaps. They will be back in action on Sunday when facing the Chicago Fire, with Mascherano’s side still unbeaten through six MLS fixtures this season.