Inter Miami head coach Cristian 'Kily' Gonzalez believes Lionel Messi "deserves the MVP and also the Ballon d'Or" for his performances at 39 years of age.
Messi was on the scoresheet again last weekend as Miami defeated Eastern Conference rivals New England Revolution 2-1 on the road.
The win saw the Herons move back up to second in the East, one point ahead of the Revs, as they now prepare to host Charlotte FC on Decision Day.
Messi has scored more goals than any other player in MLS this season, with 26, while only Evander (17) and Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul (16) have provided more assists (15).
"I have no doubt that he's the best of all," Gonzalez said of Messi.
"None of them can compare to him when it comes to respect for his colleagues.
"Leo at his age and what he does, from my point of view, deserves the MVP and also the Ballon d'Or. I hope he can achieve it."
Messi's goal against New England also clinched Miami's spot in the 2027 Champions Cup.
"It makes me very happy for the players and for the club, we are on the side of contributing things," added Gonzalez.
"We are at a club that is in continuous growth, I have players committed to us. We needed to win and we challenged ourselves on what kind of team we wanted to be."
Charlotte are fifth in the East and already know they will face the Chicago Fire in the first round of the play-offs.
They thrashed Orlando City SC 4-0 last time out, but Henry Klesser, who scored in that win, is wary of Miami's strengths.
"Obviously a very difficult matchup," Kessler said. "They've got a lot of talented guys, so we'll have to be prepared, but I think it's going to take a team effort."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
Messi failed to contribute to a goal in Miami's last home match, ending a run of 12 straight home starts with a goal contribution dating back to April.
Messi was directly involved in 23 goals (14 goals, nine assists) over that run.
Charlotte FC – Abdoulaye Doucoure
Rodolfo Aloko and Abdoulaye Doucoure both came off the bench to score for Charlotte in their win over Orlando.
They are the third pair of team-mates to score as substitutes in a single match for Charlotte, and the first since Kerwin Vargas and Patrick Agyemang netted against New England in September 2024.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Miami are unbeaten in eight straight home matches in all competitions (W4 D4) after a three-match losing run in August.
The Herons have scored in 36 straight home matches in all competitions dating back to the Leagues Cup in 2025 at Chase Stadium, last failing to score at home against FC Cincinnati in July 2025.
Charlotte have posted 4-0 wins in each of their last two matches, over CF Montreal and Orlando, both at home. This is the 17th time in MLS history a team have won consecutive games by four or more goals, though no team have done so in three straight.
The Crown kept clean sheets in each of their last two meetings with Miami, including a scoreless draw in the last meeting in March. The only team to keep clean sheets in three straight regular-season meetings with Miami was Nashville SC in 2020-21.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 50.5%
Draw – 25%
Charlotte FC – 24.5%
Sherpa77
1
yeah He deserves everything might as well give him Moon too 🤬
yotadoprtu
0
Anyone comparing any player with Messi should be charged to court or be slapped by a group of soldier to reset his malfunctioning brain. A law should be passed criminalizing comparing anyone with Messi.
Messi is someone like a reserved category candidate....ST or SC types.....its a shame if u like him
yotadoprtu
0
nobody cares.....
Brilliantmann
0
If you are not stupid enough then you check the stats
he is just a fifa boy nothing more a useless
Vipdikloty
0
the league was decided a long time ago and it wasnt even competitive for Nashville so why should messi get mvp?
this same fan base rooted for Mbappe to win Balon d'or despite not winning any trophy😅
AFerwPsS1926
0
Anyone comparing any player with Messi should be charged to court or be slapped by a group of soldier to reset his malfunctioning brain. A law should be passed criminalizing comparing anyone with Messi.
Mumu 🤣
Daweklrtuz
2
just erase messi,s news .... it's time to concentrate for Ronaldo retirement....why this lol get involved??
Nykie
3
It's always an entitlement when it comes to Messi, it's never based on Merits.
Nykie
1
Anyone comparing any player with Messi should be charged to court or be slapped by a group of soldier to reset his malfunctioning brain. A law should be passed criminalizing comparing anyone with Messi.
As usual, a brainwashed fan. If you don't know, he's a fellow footballer and would forever be compared. Keep deceiving yourself.
marialauoti
3
Messi deserve it because he is short. For playing football as a short man he deserve the BOAT, and all awards in the world. MF as if he's the only one playing football at his age. What about Ivan Perisic of Croatia? Do u know what that guy is playing at his age.
ciadlouyz
2
Ahahahahahahahhahahahahahqhhahahhahahahaahhahahhahahahwhhwhaha still struggling
Tomckmtyz
0
the league was decided a long time ago and it wasnt even competitive for Nashville so why should messi get mvp?
You see people like you are people who misinform people the league has not been done the supporters shield was done not the league
Tomckmtyz
0
That's his way of life always given 😹😹😹
Have you checked the stats fool
Tomckmtyz
0
he needs to start earning things not being gifted
If you are not stupid enough then you check the stats
Brilliantmann
7
he needs to start earning things not being gifted
rafaeljoel
5
That's his way of life always given 😹😹😹
Modackost
0
prince mvp
Wiedimou
2
no articles about Nashville
Wiedimou
5
the league was decided a long time ago and it wasnt even competitive for Nashville so why should messi get mvp?
fobbelnstz
2
Give him a princes mvp
Dihaciknyz
1
Anyone comparing any player with Messi should be charged to court or be slapped by a group of soldier to reset his malfunctioning brain. A law should be passed criminalizing comparing anyone with Messi.