Will Messi help bring record-breaking Inter Miami the MLS Cup?

Going into the play-offs, Inter Miami's biggest challengers will likely be fellow Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew, who have attracted plenty of plaudits thanks to the exciting style of play implemented by coach Wilfried Nancy.

Western Conference table-toppers Los Angeles FC, and the team finishing just behind them on goal difference, LA Galaxy, could also pose a threat.

Challengers for the league's individual awards will also come from these teams. Coach of the year will be between Nancy and Martino, MVP will be between Messi and the Crew's former Watford striker, Cucho Hernandez, while newcomer of the year will likely be one of Suarez or LA Galaxy's brilliant Brazilian winger, Gabriel Pec.

The Golden Boot winner is already decided, though. It went to former Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace forward Christian Benteke who has had an outstanding season with DC United, scoring 23 goals in 30 appearances.

Suarez finished alongside Messi as Inter Miami's top scorer with 20 goals from 27 appearances, continuing the form that produced 17 goals in 33 games for Gremio in 2023 and saw him named player of the year in the Brazilian league.

Though Messi played little more than half a season's games in MLS in 2024, he has still been one of the most productive players in the league with 20 goals and 10 assists in 19 appearances. This, plus his wider impact, makes him favourite for the MVP award.

His mere presence at the David Beckham-owned franchise which joined the league in 2020 has helped transform them from a team that finished 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference in 2023 (27th out of 29 teams overall) to one that broke the regular season points record in 2024.

This stellar regular-season performance gives Miami benefits going into the play-offs. As the top seed they will retain home advantage throughout, and the MLS Cup final is played at the home of the highest-seeded team involved which, should they get that far, would be Miami's Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Messi lifting the Supporters' Shield has served to increase the esteem in which the regular-season title is held. He and his former Barcelona team-mates, used to playing in a football culture where the league winner is the champion, will certainly have valued it, but they recognise that this is a new adventure and a different way of doing things, and they want to succeed in this culture too.

The coming weeks will decide whether they do.