Messi production and Miami’s playoff path
Inter Miami secured a playoff berth with a 2-0 win over New York City FC, led by Lionel Messi's playmaking. The club faces upcoming transitions following Jordi Alba's retirement announcement and the coaching change from Tata Martino to Cristian Kily Gonzalez.
Playoff berth secured in Miami
Inter Miami secured a playoff berth with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday. Lionel Messi provided the assist for Rodrigo De Paul, who scored in first-half stoppage time. German Berterame scored in the 20th minute following a pass from Luis Suarez. This victory moved the club to second in the Eastern Conference with 52 points from 29 matches. The team trails leaders Nashville SC by 15 points. You already know Miami needs this run to defend their 2025 MLS Cup title. Messi recorded four key passes and seven shots in this match, earning a match rating of 7.6. Berterame added his eighth goal of the season while Dayne St. Clair denied Nicolas Fernandez on a penalty in the final minute to keep the clean sheet. Messi leads the club with 25 league goals and 29 total goals. His 2026 season includes 13 assists and 54 key passes across 27 matches and 2,360 minutes. He recorded 78 dribbles and 39 successful dribbles. He also recorded 172 ground duels and 79 ground duels won.
| Player | Season Goal Total | Season Assist Total |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 29 | 13 |
| German Berterame | 8 | N/A |
| Luis Suarez | N/A | N/A |
Alba retirement and injury concerns
The club’s playoff charge remains precarious despite the recent win. Jordi Alba announced his retirement at the end of the season in early October. The 36-year-old defender recorded eight goals and 16 assists across 51 matches. Miami targets Sergio Reguilon or Kai Wagner to fill this vacancy. Reguilon previously played for Tottenham, while Wagner recorded 10 assists for Philadelphia Union. Messi also faces physical setbacks. He left the match against Toronto in the 37th minute after showing signs of a leg issue. He sat out previous matches against Atlanta United and during Argentina’s World Cup qualifying. I find the club’s inability to maintain a consistent lineup during this busy stretch incredibly frustrating. Messi appeared barely engaged after the 33rd minute when he carried the ball into the Toronto box. He unlaced his cleats and removed his shin guards before leaving the field. He also gave his captain’s armband to DeAndre Yedlin. Will the squad manage to sustain this momentum without the defensive stability provided by Alba?
Transitioning from Martino
Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez took over as head coach on September 16. He replaced Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who departed the club due to personal reasons. Martino arrived in June 2023 and led the squad to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. He moved the team from 27th in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield standings to first in 2024. Miami will play the winner of the DC United and CF Montreal series in the first round, which follows a best-of-three format where the higher seed hosts games one and three. If a team wins the first two games, they advance to the next round. The club faces a period of adjustment as it transitions away from the influence of Alba and Sergio Busquets. The team finished second in the Eastern Conference after 30 matches with 55 points. Miami remains in pursuit of Nashville SC.
