Lionel Messi, one of the most celebrated footballers in history, is currently experiencing one of the most dramatic and unexpected dips in form of his illustrious career. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, the Argentine icon had been lighting up Major League Soccer with dazzling performances, clutch goals, and magnetic playmaking. However, in recent weeks, Messi’s magic appears to be fading as both his personal form and the team’s fortunes have taken a shocking nosedive. Inter Miami has now suffered five losses in their last seven games, including a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to arch-rivals Orlando City — the worst home loss Messi has ever endured in any professional league throughout his career.
This uncharacteristic slump has not gone unnoticed. Fans, pundits, and even Messi himself have expressed growing concern. The recent defeat to Orlando was not only demoralizing in terms of the scoreline but also revealed troubling signs in Messi’s gameplay — a lack of urgency, missed passes, and fewer goal-scoring chances. Following the match, Messi openly criticized the officiating, particularly pointing to a missed call that led to Orlando’s opening goal. He claimed the refereeing standards in MLS are “below what the league deserves,” signaling frustration that goes beyond just a poor run of form. At 37 years old, many are now questioning whether this is the beginning of a natural decline, or merely a temporary setback in a long season.
To add to the tension, contract renewal talks between Messi and Inter Miami have reportedly stalled. Despite public expressions of mutual admiration between Messi and team co-owner David Beckham, the superstar’s current deal — worth an estimated $20 million annually with Apple TV revenue sharing — expires at the end of 2025. With Inter Miami slipping in the league standings and their Concacaf Champions Cup dreams dashed, fans are left wondering: can Messi reignite his spark and lead the team to glory once again, or is this a sign that the fairytale chapter in Miami may end sooner than expected? All eyes are now on their next crucial fixture, where Messi must silence the doubters and prove that he’s still the heartbeat of the club.
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