Neither Ousmane Dembélé nor Lamine Yamal—in a 12 months the place the Ballon d’Or continues to spark debate, Lionel Messi stays essentially the most decisive participant on the planet. At 38 years outdated, the Inter Miami star leads the world in aim contributions throughout 2025, exhibiting that age has not slowed his capability to affect the sport.
As of September 23, 2025, Messi has registered 30 targets and 13 assists, totaling 43 direct aim contributions for Inter Miami and the Argentine nationwide crew mixed. No participant in Europe, not even longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo or present superstars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, has matched these numbers this 12 months.
By comparability, Lamine Yamal has scored 2 targets in La Liga 2025–26 (in 3 matches) and likewise contributed 2 assists thus far. In the meantime, Ousmane Dembélé, now of Paris Saint-Germain, has began the 2025–26 Ligue 1 season strongly with 2 targets in 3 matches and likewise added 1 help to this point.
What makes the feat much more outstanding is that Messi has surpassed his manufacturing from his first two seasons in MLS and even eclipsed his output throughout his time at Paris Saint-Germain. You would need to return to his last Barcelona years in 2021 to discover a season with comparable numbers at this stage.
Dembele is the eighth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or.
Pushing Inter Miami towards playoff glory
Underneath head coach Javier Mascherano, Messi is decided to hold Inter Miami to its first-ever MLS Cup Playoff triumph. Regardless of minor health points typical of a participant his age, he has delivered constant brilliance, retaining the membership within the hunt for the highest spot within the Japanese Convention.
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Former MLS, D.C. United star slams Lionel Messi and Inter Miami: ‘The membership is a catastrophe’
With not less than six extra MLS matches and 4 further fixtures for Argentina left in 2025, Messi might play as much as 14 official video games earlier than the 12 months ends. That provides him an opportunity to increase his already unmatched file and doubtlessly end because the world’s prime contributor in targets and assists for the calendar 12 months.
Busquets weighs future with Inter Miami
Whereas Messi’s future with the membership seems safe—he’s broadly anticipated to resume his contract—one in all his closest teammates could not keep. Sergio Busquets, who has been instrumental since arriving in Miami, is reportedly contemplating retirement when his contract expires on the finish of the 12 months.
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Inter Miami coach Mascherano sheds gentle on Sergio Busquets’ future amid retirement rumors
In accordance with Spanish media, Busquets is weighing simply two choices: both proceed alongside Messi for an additional season in Florida or hold up his boots for good. For a lot of, Busquets stays one of many biggest defensive midfielders of all time, and his determination can have a serious influence on Miami’s construction heading into 2026.
