GOAL looks at how the Champions Cup could begin a domino effect of trophies for Miami in 2025, if they can capitalize
Over the past 20 years, no name in world soccer has loomed larger than Lionel Messi. An eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, the Argentine has captivated a generation with his brilliance. From Barcelona in Spain to PSG in France – and now at Inter Miami in MLS – the 37-year-old has been the face of every club he's represented.
Now, he’s in the twilight of his career. His boots are slowly unlacing, and his knees are starting to ask for grace. Yet, one thing remains unchanged – his relentless pursuit of excellence.
But time is running out.
Messi’s contract with Miami ends after the 2025 season, meaning this could be the final chapter of his storied career in MLS. In one and a half seasons, he’s led Miami to a Leagues Cup title in 2023 and a Supporters’ Shield in 2024, but they've fallen short in domestic play – missing the MLS playoffs in 2023 and bowing out in the first round in 2024.
also came close in other events, losing the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final to Houston and falling in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup to Monterrey in the quarterfinals. Yet, despite all of that, it still feels as if Messi's time in MLS hasn't delivered fully on expectations.
Miami have a chance to add five more trophies in 2025: the Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup – a shot at unprecedented greatness over the next eight months; a chance to deliver. Baby steps, though.
It starts with the Champions Cup – a trophy only one MLS team has ever won, the Seattle Sounders. If Miami wants to capitalize on Messi’s time in MLS. and show the world this was all worth it – the roster building, the marketing, the money spent – this is where it begins.
Messi and Co. have already advanced past the first two rounds. Now they're in the quarterfinals – the same stage where they fell short in 2024 – and they have a two-legged affair with LAFC. With the right cards and a bit of luck, this could mark the beginning of a historic MLS campaign.
Becoming the second MLS club to claim the trophy would be meaningful on its own – but it could also spark a cascade of silverware over the months ahead. GOAL explores what it could mean.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now@GettyWhy the Champions Cup matters
In the grand scheme of North American soccer, the Champions Cup stands as the ultimate test – a tournament that gathers the best from across CONCACAF – from the Caribbean islands and Central America to the mountainous regions of Mexico and the major cities of the United States. It’s where a true champion of the region is crowned – and MLS clubs have historically struggled to reach the summit, with one exception: Seattle in 2022.
That year, Brian Schmetzer's Seattle Sounders became the first MLS side to win the competition. Ironically, the Sounders are the only other MLS team competing in every tournament that Miami is in for 2025. But that’s not the focus here.
History is not on Miami's side, and it's exactly why they need to attack this tournament with relentless ambition.
Winning the Champions Cup would secure Miami a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and deliver a $5 million payday, but beyond the prize money and future berth, the biggest reward would be the validation that comes with it.
It’s fair to say Miami hasn’t fully lived up to expectations since Messi’s arrival. The Supporters' Shield is a significant achievement, but with the expanded MLS postseason and the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, it’s no substitute for a championship title. Now, Miami has a chance to change the narrative. If they can achieve greatness with Messi in 2025, past disappointments will be forgotten. The early playoff exit in 2024? The missed finals? All are wiped away if they lift this trophy.
The opened their 2025 Champions Cup campaign with a dominant win over Sporting Kansas City in Round 1 and followed it up with a contentious victory over Jamaican side Cavalier SC in Round 2. Now, in the quarterfinals though, there's a very possible reality that it could be a preview of this season's MLS Cup final – facing fellow contenders LAFC.
If Miami wants to make history with Messi, it needs to show it can deliver in these moments. The club needs to show it is than just Messi; they'll need grit and determination from everybody on the pitch, and Javier Mascherano at his best on the touchline.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLearning from past experience
In their two-legged affair against Monterrey in 2024, Messi missed the first match due to injury at home in Miami, and returned for their second leg in Mexico – but his inclusion played no role in them turning around an initial 2-1 deficit. A needless David Ruiz red card saw the reduced to 10 men with 25 minutes to spare, and they conceded two late goals in leg one to put themselves in a hole that Messi could not lift them out of; they fell 5-2 on aggregate.
Lucky for Miami, they won't have to travel to Mexico this time around, and their Argentine superstar will be available for selection for leg one of their series on the road in Los Angeles.
If they can take the experience from last year's competition, and learn from it, they'll set themselves up for success.
LAFC are no easy foe, though. Turkey international Cengiz Under is adapting to life well in MLS after joining the club on loan, while star winger Denis Bouanga continues to be one of MLS' best attackers. What the are missing though, is Olivier Giroud – who is sidelined due to injury, and expected to miss both legs – but ultimately, his unavailability might be what can give the an edge.
Without a proper striker available against a defensively stout foe like Miami, Steve Cherundolo's squad will be forced to rotate their attack and try to create chances in an abnormal fashion – which is where Miami could strike. However, the manager is one of MLS' best tacticians; outsmarting him on the touchline will be a key part of finding success over two legs – Mascherano's biggest test yet as a head coach at the MLS level.
Getty Images SportDedication, drive and doubt
When Mascherano was announced as Miami head coach ahead of the 2025 campaign, there was immense skepticism around the hire. His only experience close to the professional level was at the 2024 Paris Olympics with , and frankly, they underwhelmed with an early exit from the competition. He was doubted to succeed before his first press conference.
Winning knockout matches? Winning trophies? Those are things that prove doubters wrong – and this tournament will mean just as much to him, as it will for his squad. The South Beach club has a chip on their shoulder, manager included.
Messi, meanwhile, needs to show he has what it takes to be the leader Miami needs him to be – his stateside legacy is on the line as the continue their run in the competition.
The Argentine has found immense domestic success, including being named 2024 regular season MLS MVP, but he's yet to make his presence known in tournament play for Miami. He missed their Open Cup final loss vs. Houston in 2023 to injury, missed Leg 1 to Monterrey last spring, missed the entire 2024 Leagues Cup and across three legs against Atlanta in the postseason last November, and played in all three matches, but only found the back of the net once.
Redemption is on the table for him – he needs to seize it and not let go of it until the final whistle of their campaign blows in 2025 – because if both he and Miami play their hand accordingly, a special few months could be on the horizon.
Getty Images SportBeginning of something special
The Champions Cup final is set for June 1, just 13 days before Inter Miami hosts Al Ahly FC in the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Messi and Co. will face the Egyptian giants in an intercontinental showdown to kick off the revamped 32-team tournament. Drawn into Group A, Miami will also take on Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras and Portuguese heavyweights FC Porto in the group stage.
Their Champions Cup campaign will be the best possible preparation for the Club World Cup, as the competition will only get tougher the further they advance. Throughout most of the MLS season, they won’t face opponents of the caliber awaiting them in the Club World Cup – not a slight against the league, but a reality. Miami's chances of making a deep run will only improve if it impresses in the Champions Cup.
Beyond chasing their first trophy of 2025, the CONCACAF tournament offers Miami a rare opportunity to build momentum – a spark that could set off a domino effect of silverware.
And with Messi in a contract year, possibly embarking on his Last Dance, Miami can't afford to waste this opportunity. The road ahead is clear: lace up, lock-in, and seize the moment.