Messi’s Evolving Mastery: Leading Miami to New Heights

Lionel Messi has frequently been questioned about his sustained excellence, remarkable health, and enduring effectiveness in soccer. At 38 years old, his performance remains impressive. His answer? He has simply learned to walk.

This concept may sound simplistic and is not particularly revolutionary. However, Messi has mastered the art of energy conservation, effectively positioning himself both when his team possesses the ball and when they do not. He now moves into spaces with purpose, making small sprints to receive passes. His exceptional ability allows him to navigate even the tightest areas without unnecessary movement. Defensively, Messi has typically refrained from pressing. His defensive statistics reflect this approach, as he seldom engages in marking or closing down opponents—tasks he leaves to his teammates.

However, a notable shift occurred on Sunday night. Messi displayed newfound energy, actively participating in defensive efforts when his team was out of possession. He effectively disrupted passing lanes, preventing Cincinnati from delivering critical balls to their dangerous player, Evander. His involvement was pivotal in Miami’s third goal; he dropped into his own half to reclaim possession and delivered a decisive pass that Allende converted into a goal.

Manager Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s performance, stating, “We know what Leo is capable of—he proves it every weekend. Today, he did another incredible job off the ball, because we already know what he’s capable of with it.”

Statistically, Messi’s contributions were staggering. He created eight scoring opportunities, recorded three assists, and netted the opening goal. With 12 goal contributions in a single playoff campaign, he has set a new MLS record, with two games still to play. Over his last seven matches, he has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists, averaging an astonishing contribution every 28.6 minutes.

Moreover, his efficiency remains striking. While he is a crucial factor in nearly every attack for Miami, five players on the field had more touches during the match. Both Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul were involved more frequently, and other players had greater impacts in the opposition’s box. Nonetheless, Messi excelled in dribbles completed and maintained the highest pass completion percentage among his attacking peers.

However, numerical evaluations fail to capture Messi’s full brilliance. The defining moments are what truly matter. He initiated the move leading to Miami’s first goal, retrieving the ball near the halfway line and accelerating into the box for a perfectly executed headed goal, his 30th in his career. His assists showcased his technical prowess: one was delivered with a swift pivot to Mateo Silvetti, while the others were expertly threaded to Allende using the inside of his left foot and the outside of his right.

Messi’s performance has remained consistently exceptional, both in MLS and on the international stage. He was named MVP last year and is undoubtedly a frontrunner for the accolade again this season, coming close to breaking the single-season goal involvement record held by Carlos Vela.

What has shifted, particularly for Miami, is a newfound defensive resilience. Despite struggling defensively for most of the season, recent performances have seen them perform more cohesively. The addition of Silvetti has introduced much-needed vigor, while Messi’s enhanced intensity has applied pressure on the opposition. Furthermore, the absence of Luis Suarez—suspended for one game and benched during another—has allowed Miami to function without an ineffective player on the field.

Miami has also benefited from opponents’ missed opportunities. Although Cincinnati had their chances early on, they failed to capitalize. Evander, a standout player, remains without a playoff goal—a puzzling statistic given his consistent scoring during the regular season. Miami has mirrored Argentina’s successful strategy by establishing a strong defensive structure around Messi, allowing him to excel.

The imbalance in MLS this year is evident, with the Eastern Conference outperforming the West significantly. The top three teams in the East have more points than the first place in the West, showcasing the depth of talent in that conference. Miami’s path through the playoffs has been challenging, underscored by their previous loss to Cincinnati. However, they triumphantly overcame their past struggles by defeating the conference’s top team convincingly.

The question now is who can halt their momentum? Philadelphia appeared to be a potential challenge, but they were eliminated by a resurgent NYCFC. Miami is likely to hold their ground at home against any team from the West. In the playoffs, they have shown resilience and adaptability, making them formidable opponents.

Ultimately, the Messi effect remains the most significant factor: his goals, assists, and the moments of brilliance in between. While teamwork will be crucial moving forward, when Messi switches into high gear, Miami becomes nearly unbeatable.