Lionel Messi is the franchise player for Inter Miami, yet the Herons have enjoyed historic form without the Argentine international.
Inter Miami have already booked their ticket to the post-season play-offs with the Florida franchise on track to break the MLS record for the most points collected in the regular season, currently set to 73 by the New England Revolution.
With Messi set to return this weekend against the Philadelphia Union, Inter Miami have all the tools needed to make MLS history in the coming weeks, with the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup within their sights.
And midfielder Julian Gressel has shared what he’s loved most about Inter Miami recently without Messi.
Gressel praises Inter Miami recent form without Messi
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, the USA international hailed how much Inter Miami have stepped up to the plate without Messi this summer, with Gressel playing a key role in keeping the Herons ticking.
Gressel said: “What sticks out most is that we’ve done it without Leo. What we’ve been able to withstand with all these question marks that were thrown at us whether it was the Copa America, the Olympics, all that type of stuff, and added to that, an injury to the best player in the world and by far in this league.
“We’ve done it with a striker [Luis Suarez] that at the beginning of the season had one knee and couldn’t even walk, but now he’s been absolutely on fire, and he’s been incredible. It really speaks to the whole roster and us just going out there and doing it, no matter what the circumstances are and no matter what’s thrown at us, so it feels like a really good season.
“Hopefully we can top it off by getting the guy Leo back on the field and finishing the season strong, where we are hopefully beating that 73 point season record, winning the Supporters’ Shield, and then going for the big goal in MLS Cup.”
Messi could help the Herons create MLS history this year
Inter Miami have been nothing short of incredible this summer even with Messi being out for the past three months, with the Herons losing just one game and winning the rest in their run to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
And with Messi set to return this weekend, there’s a real chance that Inter Miami could create history this year if the Argentine international can remain fit and healthy in the final weeks of the season.
Going for the regular season points record will give Inter Miami the motivation they need to keep winning and to maintain their form heading into the play-offs, with MLS Cup the main goal for the Herons this season.