Why Real Madrid are spending €40m on teen star Mastantuono

Ballon d'Or 2025: Mendes & Vitinha boost podium hopes

CR7 nets & Mendes pockets Yamal in Nations League triumph

Club World Cup Power Rankings: PSG arrive as the team to beat

Biggest winners & losers as Lionesses name Euros squad

Editors' Picks

WATCH: Son's priceless reaction as he's asked if he's better than Salah

How to buy Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey tickets

Scotland World Cup 2026 qualifying: Group, fixtures & results 

Santos Laguna vs Monterrey: Stream, TV & where to watch

Where to watch Ronaldo's Al-Nassr games: Stream & TV info

How to buy Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey tickets

Where to watch & stream live MLS games

Man Utd live stream and TV channel broadcast info

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>More match-winning heroics from Herons captain</li><li>Has helped to secure Champions Cup semi-final berth</li><li>Remains a source of inspiration to those around him</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

The ‘greatest’ showman! Lionel Messi ‘will do the impossible’ in pursuit of more trophies as Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano lauds Argentine GOAT

Major League Soccer

Los Angeles FC

Toronto FC

FIFA Club World Cup

Al Ahly SC

Inter Miami CF

<p>Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi already has a historic haul of major honours to his name, with that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">record-breaking collection taken to 46 during the 2024 MLS campaign</a> - as he helped to deliver Supporters’ Shield success in South Florida.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Inter Miami are competing on multiple fronts in 2025, with a run to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-player-ratings-vs-lafc-lionel-messi-sparks-herons-concacaf-champions-cup-semis/bltfa8cddde253c0522" target="_blank">semi-finals of CONCACAF Champions League competition</a> already being enjoyed. Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-top-corner-stunner-nerveless-penalty-lionel-messi-brace-inter-miami-mls-outfit-concacaf-champions-cup-semi-finals/blt746493af89ddc831" target="_blank">bagged a stunning brace in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with LAFC</a> in order to keep the Herons in the hunt for a continental crown.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Mascherano told reporters afterwards of his fellow Argentine: “Messi is the soul of this team. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable talking about him because I've known him for 20 years now, and I have to help him in this stage of his career.</p><p>“He's a guy who has everything in football. He's the greatest in history, and he's still making the path and guiding the new generations beyond having won everything until the last day he plays on the pitch.</p><p>“He wants to win and will do the impossible. Football is just about wanting, but you have to be able. And he has that ability because he is the greatest of all.”</p>

WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

<p>LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo admitted that, after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-formula-how-lafc-shut-out-inter-miami-superstars-concacaf-champions-cup-win/blt339e9fe507f046ba" target="_blank">keeping Messi quiet in California</a>, his side found it impossible to contain the GOAT. He said: “Look, you're talking about one of the greatest to ever play this sport. And from my liking, the second half, you had a little too much freedom.</p><p>“We couldn't get enough pressure on him. I thought in the first leg we did an excellent job. In the second, I think it was a little too much freedom. We couldn't get enough pressure on the ball, and you know he's going to punish you as well as his team-mates. I think that's part of what makes him so good. He makes his team-mates better.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Inter Miami are marching on to a semi-final showdown with the Vancouver Whitecaps. They will be back in action on Sunday when facing the Chicago Fire, with Mascherano’s side still unbeaten through six MLS fixtures this season.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

The ‘greatest’ showman! Lionel Messi ‘will do the impossible’ in pursuit of more trophies as Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano lauds Argentine GOAT | Goal.com

Lionel Messi remains the “greatest” showman and “will do the impossible” in pursuit of more trophies, says Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano.

Next matches