USAAmerican fans were excited after Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win the Suppotter’ Shield for the first time in history.
On the morning of October 3, Inter Miami won 3-2 at Columbus Crew, thereby reaching 68 points after 32 matches, enough points to win the Suppotter’ Shield two rounds early. In which, Messi contributed two goals, including a solo pass through two players and a direct free kick.
This is the second title the 37-year-old striker has won in just over a year with Inter Miami. He also raises his collective record to 46 titles, three more than second-place Dani Alves. Before Messi arrived, Inter Miami had not won a title and had finished outside the MLS top 10 for three consecutive years.
“Everything Messi touches turns to gold,” a fan wrote under Inter Miami’s post on social network X.
Many others praised the way Messi helped Inter Miami win the title, praising his two decisive goals against Columbus Crew, as well as his record of 17 goals and 15 assists in 17 games this season.
Others consider the Argentine striker to be the only player worthy of being called the “GOAT” (Best Player of All Time).
In addition, there are also opinions comparing Messi’s two titles with Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo’s still empty-handed at Al Nassr. They think that the debate about who is the “GOAT” between this duo does not exist, because the result is too clear.
“Football is a team sport. When you can’t help your team win a Cup, retire and that’s what Ronaldo should do,” wrote @BBK29. “But he only thinks about his personal goals even if it’s useless. Ronaldo’s team hasn’t won a Cup since he joined.”
Some fans have also objected to Messi’s success. One fan said the Supporter’s Shield is similar to the Community Shield. Another claimed that the MLS created a trophy just to give to Messi.
Responding to this, a fan cited information that the Suppotter’ Shield has a history dating back to 1996 and is awarded annually. A fan even posted a photo of Gareth Bale celebrating the 2022 victory in a Los Angeles FC shirt.
Each MLS season awards two trophies: the Suppotter’ Shield, which is awarded to the team with the most points, and the MLS Cup, which is awarded to the team that wins the playoffs. The playoffs this season run from October to December.
Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023. A month later, he helped the team win the Leagues Cup and reach the final of the American Cup. Inter Miami missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs last season, finishing second to last in the Eastern Conference and 27th out of 29 in the group.
In his 20-year career, Messi has won every title at club and national team level, including the World Cup, two Copa Americas, the Intercontinental Super Cup, the Olympic gold medal, the U20 World Cup, four Champions Leagues, 10 La Ligas and two Ligue 1s. In addition, the 37-year-old striker also dominates individual titles, with eight Golden Balls and six European Golden Shoes.
