At 37 years old, Lionel Messi is still mesmerizing fans and dominating opponents, but he’s had to evolve his game to maintain his elite level. In a revealing interview, the Argentine superstar opened up about the adjustments he’s made since joining Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Reinventing a Legend
“I’ve changed my style of play because of the moment, the situation and my age,” Messi confessed. “I am adapting a little bit to everything.” The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that he had to “start reinventing” himself to adjust to the demands of a new league in the twilight of his storied career.
This transformation has been evident on the pitch. While Messi’s technical brilliance remains undiminished, he now picks his moments more judiciously, conserving energy and relying on his unparalleled vision and precision to unlock defenses. His game has become more efficient, more economical, but no less effective.
Instant Impact
Despite the adjustments, Messi made his presence felt immediately in South Florida. He scored within minutes of his debut against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, propelling Inter Miami to their first ever trophy. “I felt very comfortable from the beginning,” he revealed.
However, Inter Miami struggled in the 2023 MLS season, finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference and missing the playoffs entirely. The disappointing campaign left Messi hungry for more.
“To build a club you need to win titles,” Messi declared. “The club was coming off a bad year in MLS and a little bit after my arrival we won Leagues Cup, the first trophy for the club.”
Record-Breaking Resurgence
In 2024, a reinvigorated Inter Miami, led by a reinvented Messi, has taken MLS by storm. The club captured the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record, with a league-record point total.
Despite only featuring in 19 of the 34 regular season games, Messi topped MLS in total goal contributions with 20 goals and 16 assists. He’s now one of five finalists for the MLS MVP award, a testament to his enduring brilliance and his successful adaptation to a new challenge.
Chasing the Cup
With the Supporters’ Shield secured, Messi and Inter Miami now have their sights set on the MLS Cup. “It was extraordinary for us, and now we are eager to play these playoffs and hopefully be able to win the MLS Cup,” Messi said.
He acknowledged that Inter Miami are among the favorites, but warned against complacency. “We have to be stronger than ever, and take advantage of the advantages we have. I think we are one of the favorites but there are teams that will be difficult rivals.”
The Argentine urged his teammates to cut out “silly mistakes” that could prove costly in the knockout rounds. “We’ve made a lot of mistakes that we can avoid, because many times they were silly mistakes to put it nicely,” he admonished. “That cannot happen during the playoffs, because the mistakes can cost you and get you eliminated.”
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 MLS season reaches its climax and the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico looms on the horizon, speculation about Messi’s future has intensified.
The forward, who has one year remaining on his Inter Miami contract, was characteristically coy about his plans. “I don’t know [if I will play in the 2026 World Cup], they ask me a lot, especially in Argentina,” he admitted. “I hope to finish this year well, and start the year having a good preseason, which I didn’t have last year due to all the trips we had.”
“From there, I will see how I am doing and feeling. We are close, but at the same time it’s a lot of time and anything can happen in football. I don’t think, simply living the day to day without thinking beyond.”
Whether or not Messi graces the 2026 World Cup, his impact on MLS and Inter Miami is undeniable. By reinventing his game and adapting to new challenges, he’s shown that even the greatest can continue to evolve and excel. As he chases more glory in the MLS Cup playoffs, one thing is certain: Lionel Messi’s legend is still being written.
