da heads bet： The Argentine's absence is always felt, but it'll be the key storyline to watch this summer for the Herons
da blaze casino： If Lionel Messi has taught us one thing during his reign atop the world's game, it's this: bet on him to succeed. When he's on the field, there's little you can do to prevent him from molding the game to his will. The tiny Argentine is an unstoppable force, and there are few who have ever created as much magic on the pitch.
But what happens when that force, that magic, is removed? The answer is generally the same no matter where Messi has been: not well. It's something his current club, Inter Miami, has struggled with, and it's easy to see why.
Despite missing multiple matches already this season, Messi leads MLS in assists. He's also third in the league in goals, just behind teammate Luis Suarez. That duo combined has scored 25 of Miami's 36 goals this season. It's an obscene number.
When Messi is gone, Miami clearly aren't the same team. They struggle to find the moments of danger that the Argentinian star creates. And, as the summer heats up, Miami are preparing for his inevitable absence as Messi heads to the Copa America.
A recent win over Orlando City gave Miami boss Tata Martino hope. Miami won't be at their best without Messi, but Martino believes they can stay afloat if other stars step up.
"If these players find themselves in form, with confidence, secure, and understand the challenges of the five games after [Messi's final match against] St. Louis, it's clear that we'll be able to survive Copa America." But who are the players that will be key to Miami's summer without Messi?
Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyThe goal-scorer
The man who sparked Martino's praise to begin with, Leo Campana was Miami's hero this past weekend. His last-gasp winner against D.C. United was a huge moment for the striker, who was once guy in the Miami attack. The arrival of Messi and, more importantly, Suarez, has since relegated him to the bench, but he's taken it all in stride.
It's easy to forget, though, that Campana is the second-leading scorer in the club's short history. He's hit double digits in each of his first two seasons in Miami, and the Ecuadorian is very consistent, with the only thing keeping him off the field being that he isn't Messi or Suarez. Teams across MLS would love to have him as a starter… Miami have him as a super-sub.
We've seen him paired with Suarez at times in 2024, and we'll almost certainly see Campana lead the line without the Uruguayan veteran at points going forward. When those moments come, Campana will be key.
“We are going to suffer during the Copa America, but we have to know how to suffer," Martino said. "Leo Campana’s goal will give him confidence. Players like him and Robert Taylor will be fundamental in this period.”
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe vertical threat
Speaking of Taylor… The Finland international became last season's cult hero after striking up a strong understanding with Messi, and he remains a key player this campaign.
He's not scoring goal after goal like he did in 2023, but Taylor does provide valuable width to the Miami attack. He has just two MLS goals this season, but that doesn't fully explain the things he does when Messi and Suarez are hammering in the finishes. With those two, Miami need some kind of vertical threat, and Taylor is that player.
When Messi or Suarez aren't around, however, he's one of the players that'll need to pick up the slack. Taylor is very committed to that cause, too, as he said he'll reject any calls from the Finnish national team to focus on Miami.
"For me, I have to make a difficult decision sometimes," Taylor said, "but I feel like my home is here and I need to focus on bringing the results here."
The set-piece taker
We at least know who will be taking Miami's set-pieces when Messi isn't available… Marias Rojas' ridiculous free-kick against CF Montreal kickstarted a furious comeback in early May, and it also showed that Rojas is a very real contributor to this Miami attack. In just 310 minutes, he has three goals and an assist. Those numbers are nearly Messi-like!
Rojas isn't Messi, of course, and the club doesn't expect him to be. He is a valuable, veteran creator, however, who can help lift the attack in Messi's absence
Getty ImagesThe rising star
Miami's homegrown starlet Benjamin Cremaschi is back in action after missing the first few months of the season due to a hernia injury, and he looks ready to make up for lost time.
Cremaschi was originally eased back into the XI, but the talented teenager has been named to the starting XI in each of Miami's past three games. He's already scored two goals, too, including the winner in Miami's comeback win over CF Montreal.
The 19-year-old midfielder is still growing as a player and is nowhere near a finished product. He took major strides last season, but there are still plenty more to take. But despite his age, he's a player that Miami can rely on, and they'll have to over the next few months.