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Lionel Messi captivated fans with his genius plays at Barcelona, then faced a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and now he's embarking on a new chapter with Inter Miami in MLS. But the undeniable truth is that even with a superstar of Messi's caliber, success doesn't come automatically if the team lacks structure, cohesion, and stability. And Inter Miami is currently experiencing a similar nightmare that Messi faced at PSG.
Inter Miami - a team of stars but lacking identity.
From the start of the 2025 season, Inter Miami was expected to be a strong contender in MLS. They boasted a host of world- class stars such as Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets – all of whom were part of the legendary Barcelona era. However, coach Javier Mascherano's team is facing serious problems with its squad structure and morale.
Heavy defeats like the 1-4 loss to Minnesota United left fans deeply disappointed. Not only was it Messi's heaviest defeat in MLS, but it also exposed the weaknesses of the defensive system and the lack of cohesion in their play. Even individual errors, such as Marcelo Weigandt's own goal and Jordi Alba abandoning his position to chase the ball, angered the spectators.
Inter Miami had a promising start with eight unbeaten games, creating confidence in a team capable of competing for the title. However, from then on, core problems gradually became apparent. The midfield lacked flexibility, coordination between the lines was poor, and the defense was easily exploited, preventing the team from maintaining consistency.
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Even with Messi in the squad, Inter Miami still faces the challenge of balancing tactics and morale, much like the nightmare the superstar faced at PSG in the past. |
Inter Miami's instability is reminiscent of Messi's time at PSG during the 2021-2023 seasons. There, Messi, along with Mbappe and Neymar, formed a superstar attacking trio, but the team lacked cohesion between the lines. In big matches, PSG were frequently defeated not because of a lack of individual brilliance, but because of tactical imbalances and weak defense.
PSG, once expected to win the Champions League with their star-studded squad, ultimately failed at crucial moments. Part of the reason stemmed from the midfield and defense's inability to provide adequate cover, protect the attacking line, and simultaneously build up play effectively. Moments of individual brilliance couldn't compensate for the team's shortcomings.
Similarly, Inter Miami, despite its star-studded squad, struggled to maintain an organized playing system. Coach Mascherano, despite his efforts to rotate the team and introduce players like Yannick Bright – a typical defensive midfielder – was unable to completely solve the problem.
The underlying cause
Inter Miami's biggest weakness currently is the disconnect between their lines. Their defense is frequently put in a difficult position due to limited coordination in the midfield, lacking the support to stop quick counter-attacks. Despite signings like Maxi Falcón and Gonzalo Luján to improve the speed and stamina of the defense, the connection in their play has not significantly improved.
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Busquets' age of 36 means Inter Miami's midfield lacks the necessary stamina for constant tackling and pressing. |
Furthermore, Busquets' age of 36 means the midfield lacks the necessary stamina for constant tackling and pressing. This increases pressure on the defense and reduces Inter Miami's ability to control the game.
Furthermore, mental fortitude and focus are also questionable factors. Moments of "carelessness" leading to individual mistakes in defense demonstrate a lack of seriousness and composure at crucial moments. This has cost Inter Miami opportunities to advance deep into major tournaments like the MLS Cup and the Concacaf Champions League.
In the current context, Inter Miami faces immense pressure. Despite being fifth in the Eastern Conference and only six points behind the leader, this is still not enough to quell expectations surrounding a team that boasts Messi.
Transfer rumors suggest Inter Miami are targeting quality signings like Kevin De Bruyne or Ange Di Maria – players who could strengthen their midfield, bolster their defense, and provide the necessary balance. However, for long-term success, they need more than just a few big-name stars.
Lessons for modern football
Messi's story at Inter Miami and PSG underscores a truth in modern football: a team cannot always be built solely on outstanding individuals. Success comes only when there is balance between the lines, appropriate tactics, and enduring teamwork.
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Even though Messi is the brightest star on the planet, no one can carry a team lacking structure and stability for an extended period. |
Even though Messi is the brightest star on the planet, no one can carry a team lacking structure and stability for an extended period. That's why successful big teams always have a solid foundation from the defense, through the midfield to the attack.
Inter Miami is at a crucial juncture. If they don't soon improve their squad structure and strengthen their fighting spirit, they will repeat the mistakes of PSG – a team full of stars but failing in top-level competitions.
Messi and Inter Miami are going through a difficult period, mirroring the lessons learned at PSG. Despite possessing top-class stars, the lack of structure and stability in the squad is the biggest obstacle preventing them from reaching their full potential.
The upcoming Club World Cup will be an opportunity for Inter Miami to prove their mettle and progress, but the pressure is immense. Given their history of failures in major tournaments, they need to learn and adapt quickly if they don't want Messi to once again face a trophyless season with his new team.
Only when Inter Miami becomes a truly cohesive team, one that supports each other and fights for the collective, can the team fully utilize the talent of Messi – the greatest star of his generation – to conquer major titles, instead of just having fleeting individual moments of brilliance within a team lacking identity.
Source: https://znews.vn/anh-sang-messi-bong-toi-inter-miami-post1553413.html
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