Madrid, beware! Raphinha channelling Neymar ahead of El Clasico

Benteke is the best striker in America 

Hit-&-miss Martinelli key to keeping Arsenal title hopes alive

Hector Bellerin: Arsène Wenger and the art of football 

Ten Hag, Mourinho & Man Utd's post-Fergie managers - ranked

Believe! Sudeikis ‘really excited’ about Ted Lasso Season 4

Rooney admits to 'weird feeling' spending time with wife & kids

A$AP Rocky ‘odd marriage’ can be Wrexham-esque for Tranmere

Martial ripped by Greek media after 'tasteless' AEK Athens debut

Onana & Ugarte shine but Man Utd fall short against Mourinho

Ballon d'Or Rankings: Vini at No.1 after nominees announced

Mourinho reveals he was tipped off about Man Utd's surprise lineup

Evander calls out Timbers' management after playoff loss

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Martino's side break single season points record</li><li>Have already secured 2024 Supporters' Shield</li><li>Talismanic captain looking to land another trophy</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><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>

Lionel Messi hits ‘ideal form’ for Inter Miami at perfect time – with Herons expecting Argentine GOAT to lead charge for MLS Cup glory

Major League Soccer

Atlanta United

Inter Miami CF

<p>The Argentine superstar has endured a couple of injury setbacks in 2024, with the most recent of those seeing him suffer <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-ankle-swells-size-golf-ball-argentina-inter-miami-superstar-tears-injury-copa-america-final-colombia/bltfebca9f5b14d26cd" target="_blank">ankle damage in the Copa America final</a>. Messi sat out several weeks when working his way back to fitness, but has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/changed-everything-inter-miami-chief-hails-lionel-messi-impact-mls-compares-nba-legend-michael-jordan/blt07f24130ccba8883" target="_blank">picked up where he left off</a> since returning to Tata Martino’s plans.</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>Messi recorded an 11-minute hat-trick in his latest appearance, as Inter Miami saw off the New England Revolution and posted another record with the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-qualify-for-2025-fifa-club-world-mls-regular-season-points-record/bltd6b6c5c548bdd085" target="_blank">highest single season points tally in MLS</a>. They are now readying themselves for play-off action, with their talismanic captain peaking with perfect timing.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Martino has told reporters of working Messi back to his mercurial best <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-team-ever-mls-cup-or-bust-lionel-messi-inter-miami-argentine-superstar-signed-david-beckham-deliver-ultimate-glory/bltf1dde65891cd00ac" target="_blank">when it matters most</a>: "After the big injury that he had in the Copa America, we had to be very careful with his recovery and to bring him back to the team. So in both the Argentina team and here, we were very careful with that topic.</p><p>"The Columbus game (on Octover 2), especially second half, Leo was participating a lot in what happened in that match, and the last game with Bolivia also, we saw him a lot looser, a lot more in rhythm, with a lot more performance. Tonight, the first ball back he touched was the pass to Jordi Alba so he could make a goal. I have the feeling that we have him in ideal form in the most important part of the year for us."</p>

WHAT TATA MARTINO SAID

<p>Messi is a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-lionel-messi-top-list-usmnt-star-mls-mvp-race-inter-miami-pretenders-contenders/blt4323baa2166e6c16" target="_blank">contender for the 2024 MLS MVP award</a>, with 20 goals and 11 assists to his name, and Inter Miami will be hoping to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner maintain remarkable standards when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-25000-square-foot-screen-times-square-inter-miami-playoff-game-mls-new-york/blt6b56eb671baa9e47" target="_blank">opening their play-off campaign on October 25</a> against either CF Montreal and Atlanta United.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Lionel Messi hits ‘ideal form’ for Inter Miami at perfect time – with Herons expecting Argentine GOAT to lead charge for MLS Cup glory | Goal.com Cameroon

Inter Miami believe Lionel Messi has hit “ideal form” at “the most important part of the year”, with the Herons setting their sights on MLS Cup glory.