Lionel Messi’s Golden Boot Glory Means Nothing Without MLS Cup Success

Lionel Messi has been nothing short of sensational this MLS season. With 29 goals to his name, the Argentine maestro has secured the MLS Golden Boot and is widely expected to grab the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award again. Yet, for all his brilliance, there’s a cloud hanging over his record-breaking season — can he finally deliver MLS Cup success for Inter Miami?

Should Messi win the MVP, he’ll become the first player in 30 MLS seasons to win it back-to-back. But that achievement might feel hollow if Miami doesn’t lift the one trophy that truly matters — the MLS Cup.

The Stakes Are High For Inter Miami

The franchise, co-owned by David Beckham and managed by Javier Mascherano, kicks off its playoff campaign against Nashville SC in a best-of-three series. Nashville’s attack, led by English forward Sam Surridge, won’t make things easy.

While most global leagues prize their regular season titles, in the United States, it’s all about post-season playoffs. The MLS Cup is the defining trophy — and it’s the one Messi and Miami have yet to win.

Inter Miami’s only knockout success since Messi’s arrival from PSG in 2023 remains the Leagues Cup, a joint MLS–Liga MX tournament. Despite multiple cup runs and even topping the 2024 league standings to win the Supporters’ Shield, the ultimate silverware still eludes them.

Defender Noah Allen summed it up perfectly:

“Yeah, it’s a failure if we don’t win the MLS Cup. We have high expectations for ourselves. We want to win every trophy possible.”

The Avengers Of Football

Let’s be honest — when you have Messi, Suarez, Busquets, and Jordi Alba on the same team, expectations are sky-high. As one pundit quipped,

“You can’t assemble The Avengers and not win the MLS Cup.”

And it’s true. The arrival of Messi didn’t just elevate Miami’s play; it transformed the club’s identity. Merchandise sales exploded — even surpassing Juventus — and Messi’s jersey became a fashion statement featured in Vogue. Off the pitch, his influence is immeasurable, with talks already circulating about him becoming a co-owner once he retires.

Breaking Records, Setting Standards

Messi was close to shattering the MLS record for combined goals and assists, previously held by Carlos Vela (49). Messi ended the season with 45 — 29 goals and 16 assists — in just 28 appearances. He also claimed his third Player of the Month award this season, further cementing his dominance.

But as impressive as those stats are, the narrative remains incomplete without a championship. Inter Miami has the talent, resources, and star power — now they must prove it where it counts most.

The Defining Moment

As the MLS playoffs begin, one thing is certain: history will judge this Miami team not by shirts sold or followers gained, but by whether they can bring home the Cup.

Messi’s legacy in America may not depend entirely on trophies — after all, his global career speaks for itself — but his MLS story will feel unfinished without that elusive crown.

As Bradley Wright-Phillips put it:

“Their time over here will still be filled with success, but if they don’t win the Cup, that’s how we’re going to judge it.”

And that’s the truth — in football, no matter how magical the moments are, legends are remembered by their silverware.