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<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>Herons snatched point in MLS opener</li><li>Captain provided much-needed creativity</li><li>All-time great has lost none of his hunger</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Kid playing & doesn’t want to lose’ – Lionel Messi earns ‘soul’ praise from Inter Miami boss as evergreen Argentine GOAT remains source of inspiration in MLS

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<p>It appeared as though Messi would suffer a first competitive defeat of 2025 on the opening weekend of MLS action, but he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-records-two-assists-as-10-man-inter-miami-steals-late-point-vs-nycfc-in-2025-mls-opener/blt22f5c14f80b4d4f0" target="_blank">provided two assists as the Herons snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with New York City FC</a> in the 100th minute.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The hosts took an early lead at Chase Stadium, but were reduced to 10 men midway through the first-half when Tomas Aviles saw red. Telasco Segovia rescued a point in the closing stages, with Messi – the reigning MVP of MLS – stepping up to provide much-needed creativity.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Mascherano believes the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner offered a bit of everything to the Inter Miami cause against NYCFC, with the evergreen 37-year-old showing no sign of slowing down as he continues to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-how-goat-lionel-messi-practises-own-training-inter-miami-ballon-d-or-winner-most-decorated-history/blt4fab598aa51da68d" target="_blank">demand the highest standards of himself and those around him</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Mascherano told reporters: “Messi is the soul of this team. You saw this on the pitch. He is a kid playing and he doesn't want to lose. So for us it's a big big advantage. So we just need to keep him with this spirit. Because it's not just what he does on the pitch.</p><p>“It's what he translates to his team-mates and all that he does with his 37 years. He's not just playing in attack, he helps us in defence, running the centre-back, running the whole midfield. So he's magnificent.”</p>

WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

<p>Messi registered his first competitive goal of 2025 in the first leg of Inter Miami’s <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/not-human-inter-miami-boss-javier-mascherano-stunned-freezing-temperatures-kansas-champions-cup-win-lionel-messi-first-competitive-goal-2025/blt9b14224e63f6241d" target="_blank">CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Sporting KC in freezing Kansas</a> and will be looking to complete that job on Tuesday when a return date in Florida is taken in.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

‘Kid playing & doesn’t want to lose’ – Lionel Messi earns ‘soul’ praise from Inter Miami boss as evergreen Argentine GOAT remains source of inspiration in MLS | Goal.com

Lionel Messi is like a “kid playing and doesn’t want to lose”, says Javier Mascherano, with the Argentine GOAT remaining the “soul” of Inter Miami.

‘Kid playing &amp; doesn’t want to lose’ – Lionel Messi earns ‘soul’ praise from Inter Miami boss as evergreen Argentine GOAT remains source of inspiration in MLS

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