Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS season ended much earlier than anyone could have expected, with Lionel Messi and company crashing out at the first hurdle in the play-offs.
A shock 3-2 loss against Atlanta United saw the Herons eliminated from the play-offs by the hands of the lowest seed team in the Eastern Conference bracket, with Inter Miami’s dream of winning MLS Cup coming crashing down.
The Florida franchise have since move swiftly to build for next season, with Javier Mascherano appointed as manager after the departure of Tata Martino with Angel Di Maria already emerged as a transfer target for Inter Miami.
And MLS have named their Best XI for 2024, with Messi joined by an Inter Miami teammate.
Jordi Alba joins Messi in MLS Best XI but Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets miss out
As per MLS’s official Twitter account, Messi and Jordi Alba have both been named in the Best XI for 2024, with Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets two notable absentees from the team despite their efforts with Inter Miami this year.
With MLS expert Matt Doyle hailing Busquets as Inter Miami’s most important player this season, the former FC Barcelona captain missing out alongside Suarez is quite the surprise given how good the duo were for the Herons.
However, with LA Galaxy maestro Riqui Puig arguably the best midfielder in MLS this season and D.C. United striker Christian Benteke winning the Golden Boot award, there’s some sense as to why Suarez and Busquets were not named.
Indeed, Inter Miami crashing out of the play-offs so early certainly had some sway in which players were named in the Best XI, yet fans will be rightfully annoyed that Suarez and Busquets missed out given their form.
Inter Miami and Messi need to ensure they dominate MLS in 2025
2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for Inter Miami, with the FIFA Club World Cup taking place that summer and another shot at MLS Cup likely to come around at the end of the year.
And this off-season will be all about preparing for next year, with Messi and company aware that they can’t slip up against in the play-offs if they’re to ensure that next season is a success.
Indeed, Messi will be eager to win MLS Cup with Mascherano as his manager, and the new Inter Miami coach will be desperate to leave his mark down as quickly as possible in his first club job away from the pitch.