Lionel Messi believes Inter Miami must sharpen up defensively if they want to lift the MLS Cup this season.
Reflecting on Miami’s first-round playoff exit to Atlanta United last year, Messi admitted that defensive “irregularity” cost them dearly.
“There were moments where the team competed at a very high level, but it’s also true that we were irregular, defensively, where we conceded a lot of goals,” he told Apple TV on Wednesday. “We must be better in that area if we really want to win the MLS Cup.”
The Herons conceded six goals across the two-game defeat to Atlanta in 2024, despite scoring four.
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Under new head coach Javier Mascherano, Miami showed improvement with a win over Nashville SC in the opening game of the 2025 playoffs, though they still allowed a late goal from Hany Mukhtar. “I think this season, like last year, we’ve grown a lot,” Messi added.
Messi, who spent nearly two decades in Europe, said the MLS playoff format still feels different compared to league-based systems overseas. “I think the playoffs are a completely different competition… the teams are much more careful and attentive to every detail,” he said.
In four MLS postseason appearances, Messi has three goals and two assists.
Asked whether Miami can go all the way this time, the Argentine was clear: “Yes, obviously yes, we can. It’s not going to be easy. We have the experience from last year when we finished first in the regular season and then got knocked out in the first round.”