This year was a bittersweet season for Inter Miami. While they managed to lift the MLS Supporters’ Shield with a record of 74 points, the Herons lost their chance to win the MLS Cup after they endured a 3-2 defeat in Game 3 against Atlanta United. However, the fire within Miami after the defeat hasn’t been extinguished as Lionel Messi has urged his teammates to ‘come back stronger.’

From being touted as one of the favorites to lift the prestigious MLS Cup to exiting the playoffs within the initial stages, life came at the David Beckham-owned club pretty fast. Then again, Messi is still proud of his club and teammates’ progression so far, despite their hunger for wanting more. In fact, even if there’s still time for them to start looking at the new season, La Pulga has sent a strong redemption message.

The 37-year-old took time but finally broke his silence on Instagram, sharing a carousal of five pictures, showcasing the highlights of the season. Additionally, he wrote a caption, which translates to, “A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more. Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us. Now let’s get ready to come back stronger next year.”

Of course, the former FC Barcelona man has acknowledged the remarkable growth of the team in over a year that has passed since his arrival. However, with the latest setback during the MLS playoffs, the striker now wants his team to retrospect, reenergize, and recollect for the 2025/26 season and make the best of it. Not to forget, they have the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to play.

On a personal level, Messi had a decent season. The former PSG superstar notched 21 goals and 11 assists in over 22 games across the MLS regular season and playoffs campaign. If it weren’t for the injuries, the World Cup winner would have definitely added more to his tally. Perhaps that’s something for the next season to see in, considering how shockingly the growth turned out to be in the recent one!

Lionel Messi echoed Tata Martino’s remarks over Inter Miami’s MLS season

As a coach, it’s only natural to see someone like Gerardo Tata Martino facing the criticism of fans over their latest upset. While failure is something the Argentinian tactician has himself accepted, he wants others to see how far they have come, especially when compared to last November. “[The season] It has…good things and bad things,” he said, accepting that this year was not a successful one.

To remind you, they had finished 14th place in the 2023/24 campaign with just 34 points, while having only won the US Open Cup. So you may imagine what it means for them to lift the Supporters’ Shield this year. “If one certainly thinks about where we were in November last year, there is indeed progress,” added Martino in the presser.

Hence, preparing for the new season from scratch and then answering the critics by achieving something meaningful is perhaps the only way left for Inter Miami to turn the tables around in their favor. Let’s see how that goes for them.