Messi's moment: Inter Miami's captain still has work to do | OneFootball

On Tuesday, the soccer world will celebrate the final international match of perhaps the greatest player in soccer history. Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, 39, will make his 208th appearance for the Argentine national team in a friendly with African side Benin. But don't expect the man nicknamed "the Flea" to dribble off into the sunset anytime soon.'

Messi announced his retirement from international football on Aug. 31, six weeks after La Albiceleste lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain and three weeks after the death of his father, Jorge.

Lionel Messi | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

The iconic midfielder hinted at retirement in a poignant and grief-stricken letter to his deceased father shortly after the senior Messi's passing, and speculation about Messi’s future swirled throughout the soccer community.

Las Garzas’ captain surprised everyone by returning to Miami shortly after Jorge Messi’s funeral and playing the second half of the Herons’ Leagues Cup match against Club León. His heartache hasn't affected his play; with 21 goals and 13 assists, Messi could add a third-straight MLS Most Valuable Player Award to his long resume, and the Herons (12-5-10, 46 points) are trying to become the first team since the 2012 Los Angeles Galaxy to successfully defend its MLS Cup title.

His international career may have reached its logical conclusion, but Messi has unfinished club business. His Miami contract runs through the end of 2028 and — although the Herons have earned five trophies since Messi’s 2023 arrival — many pundits feel the legend’s MLS legacy should be greater (that’s nonsense; Messi’s impact on Inter Miami and the league is incalculable.)

The man has nothing left to prove; if he decided never to play another match after Tuesday, I’d be OK with that. Disappointed, but OK. But I don’t think Messi’s the kind of man to walk away from a commitment.

What’s left for Messi to do in MLS? He already has two MVPs, a Golden Boot and three All-Star selections, but individual honors have never defined his career. Messi has helped the Herons win three major trophies — the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and 2025 MLS Cup — and two mid-tier awards — the 2025 Eastern Conference championship and 2026 Campeones Cup — but two biggies have escaped Las Garzas’ grasp: the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Houston Dynamo players pose with the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after beating Inter Miami 2-1 in the 2023 final. | Carmen Mandato/USSF/GettyImages

It’s too soon to call Champions Cup the Herons’ white whale — they’ve only been in the pool three times (2024, 2025, 2026) — but managing owner Jorge Mas has made no secret the continental trophy is Miami’s most coveted prize. And the Open Cup, to me, deserves far more respect from MLS than it receives. The tournament dates back to 1913 and it is a true open cup competition, open to teams from every level of the U.S. Soccer Federation's stocky pyramid. Never mind that MLS teams have won the Cup all but once since 1996 (the Rochester Rhinos won in 1999), the presence of the country's best teams is what keeps the dream alive and the story compelling, year after year.

Earlier this year, MLS announced that all of its teams will resume competing in the Open Cup beginning next year. I am elated. Messi didn't play in the 2023 Open Cup final the Herons lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo.

I can imagine Messi retiring if Inter Miami finds its form and repeats as MLS Cup champions this year, but I don't expect it. Remember, Leo isn't just the ultimate franchise player, he's also an owner-in-waiting. More wins, more prestige, more honor, more publicity isn't just great for Messi's legacy; it's good business.