Lionel Messi: Will the Argentine star inspire Inter Miami to playoff success and win the MLS Cup after signing a new contract?

Messi, who has yet to announce whether he will play in next summer’s World Cup in North America, has already made a huge impact at Inter Miami on and off the pitch.

High quality players were attracted to the club – famous names such as Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – to bring greater focus, more fans, more sales, greater profits to the club and improved chances of success.

The club currently sells more shirts than Italian giant Juventus, and Vogue magazine features Messi’s shirts as a fashion item, while he is set to become a co-owner of the franchise upon his retirement.

On the pitch, this season Messi has come close to breaking the MLS single-season record for goals and assists, previously held by former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela.

The Mexican managed to score 49 goals for Los Angeles in 2019, but Messi failed to score 45 goals, scoring 29 goals and making 16 assists in 28 matches (26 matches).

He made the first round of the playoffs against Nashville after being named MLB MVP for the third time this season, earning the Golden Boot and on the cusp of another MVP award.

But, having committed his future to the club, some believe Messi and Inter need to find success in the MLS Cup.

Eighteen teams advance to the playoffs—the top nine from the Eastern Conference and the top nine from the Western Conference—before four rounds conclude with the American League Cup Final.

“You can’t put together The Avengers and not win the MLS Cup,” Bradley Wright-Phillips, a two-time Golden Boot winner and former Manchester City striker, told MLS Apple TV.

“I understand it’s very difficult to win it – and their time here will still be full of success – but as far as not winning the cup, we’ll be the judge of that.”

Fellow Apple TV analyst and former Atlanta player Dax McCarty said: “When I look back and think about Messi’s career, I wouldn’t really think about whether or not he won the MLS Cup. But his legacy in MLS will certainly be affected whether he wins the MLS Cup or not.”

“If Messi is coming to MLS and he’s basically going to pick his former teammates who he wants to bring here, let’s be honest, it’s a great team fundamentally – even if they’re on their last legs. You have to think about that.”