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WHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has seen and done just about everything that it is possible to achieve at the very top of the global game. He boasts more trophies in his collection (45) than any other player – with that haul including La Liga, Ligue 1, Champions League, World Cup and Copa America titles.
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi is now plying his trade in the United States for Inter Miami, helping to put them in contention for Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup honours in 2024. His season has been disrupted by injury, limiting his game time, but crucial contributions have been made whenever he is available.
WHAT KLJESTAN SAID
His latest came in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, which saw the all-time great bag a brace and an assist as the Herons battled back from a goal down. Sacha Kljestan has told MLS Wrap-Up of how Messi breeds confidence in those around him: “Messi, emotionally, is never bothered, you never see much out of him one way or the other, but they’ve gone down and come back to win 27 points from losing positions this season.
“Even if they’re scored on, even if they’re down 2-0 in the second-half, Messi is just focused on getting a goal, getting an assist, setting up a play in the final-third, winning the game. We saw it at the World Cup with Argentina, that emotional maturity and intelligence is putting Inter Miami over the edge on every team in MLS.”
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Inter Miami have already booked their place in the post-season play-offs, meaning that they will get a shot at earning their talismanic captain another piece of major silverware. The Florida-based outfit will be back in action on Wednesday when taking in a trip to Atlanta.
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