While Lionel Messi may no longer play his soccer in Barcelona it’s clear to see that his impact remains at the club.
The new year didn’t start as planned for the Argentine. Messi finished joint-last in his bid to be crowned King of America, something that would have seen him make MLS history.
Despite his slow start to 2025 Messi certainly had some special moments last year, and despite now being 37 the midfield maestro continues to impress his fellow professionals.
US international Christian Pulisic named Messi ‘the best player in the world’ and one of the record-breaking Ballon d’Or winners former Barcelona teammates recently highlighted what Messi does better than anyone else.
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Frenkie de Jong highlights Messi’s magic
It seems anyone who graces the field alongside Messi only has the highest of praise to pay the world-renowned superstar.
Messi was named the 2024 MLS MVP highlighting that he is still at the peak of his footballing powers.
Speaking to Voetbal International, current Barcelona star de Jong pinpointed his memories of Messi during training saying: “I’ve never seen such a big difference between one player and the rest. Whatever we did in training, Messi was the best, always.”
His words echo those of Inter Miami’s Leo Afonso who was blown away by Messi’s training ground standards.
Netherlands international de Jong went on to explain what Messi does better than any other play in world soccer, saying: “He sees solutions on the field that you as a coach cannot think of in advance.”
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Messi aiming to build on 2024
While the season may not have ended how Messi or Inter Miami would have wanted, crashing out to Atlanta United in the playoffs, the tricky attacker still had a strong personal season.
Messi still ranks highly in the top 100 players in the world and his 2024 Inter Miami season stats highlight exactly why.
| Lionel Messi | 2024 season |
| Goals | 23 |
| Assists | 13 |
| MOTM Awards | 13 |
Despite a strong year Messi has vowed to ‘come back stronger’ this year and he and Javier Mascherano face a tough opening fixture against New York City FC.
