Under the Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire spotlight, Lionel Messi was at his heroic best for Inter Miami CF.
The legendary No. 10 delivered a stunning assist and highlight-reel late goal to rally the Herons past the New England Revolution, 2-1, and clinch a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
Sunday’s dramatic result also elevated Miami into the driver's seat for the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed ahead of the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. And it left Messi with 26g/16a on the season, putting him in pole position for a historic third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and second consecutive Golden Boot presented by Audi.
“I have no doubts that he’s the best of them all,” head coach Cristian ‘Kily’ González said of Messi’s MVP odds. “Nobody compares with him, with all due respect to his colleagues. Leo — at his age, and what he represents, and what he does — it’s obvious that he deserves it.
"Just like he deserved the Ballon d’Or."
Revs kryptonite
While Messi didn't get to add a ninth Ballon d'Or to his collection last week, he did continue his dominance of New England.
With his display in front of 54,112 fans at Gillette Stadium, the 39-year-old recorded his fifth multi-goal contribution performance in six career matches against the Revs, for a total of 8g/6a.
"This team and these players that surround you, they create it. They create [the expectation] of always winning," striker Germán Berterame, who Messi assisted with a no-look, backwards header for the 69th-minute equalizer, told Apple TV in Spanish.
"... They want to win and win. And that's what this means."
Trophy hunt
Messi and Co. now look ahead to Saturday's Decision Day clash vs. Charlotte FC, with the fate of the East's No. 2 seed in their hands (4 pm ET | Apple TV).
For González, finishing the regular season with a win is the only acceptable result for a team that measures success by trophies.
"I knew when I arrived that we're at a club that's undergoing continued growth," said González. "I have players that are committed to us, and not to mention the club."
The only remaining objective for the Herons after booking their CCC spot? Become the first repeat MLS Cup champions since the 2011-12 LA Galaxy.
But González isn't taking anything for granted.
"We've achieved this objective, which allows us to look at what's ahead with confidence," said González. "And it's terribly important for the club and for us."
