Lionel Messi has no shortage of motivation in 2025. His Inter Miami CF won the Supporters' Shield last season, setting an MLS single-season record for points in the process, before being humbly knocked out of the playoffs in Round 1.

Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Miami will take on the winner of Sunday's other conference semifinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.

"I'm very happy for him," first-year Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. "I'm very happy because of the season that he played. ... For him it was very, very special and very important to win this trophy. He came here to win this trophy."

Pep Guardiola has told Rayan Cherki to learn from Lionel Messi after the French forward produced an outrageous assist during Manchester City's 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Inter Miami won their first MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1. Messi provided two key assists; Muller praised, “He secured the title; there is no point pretending otherwise.” Muller thanked Whitecaps fans,