INTERludes: Messi's May kudos, international callups, Allen gets Concacaf respect | OneFootball

Messi's recent strong performances earn Player of the Month honors

A month ago, some members of social media's kangaroo court murmured that Lionel Messi's abilities were in decline, even suggesting his presence was somehow detrimental to Inter Miami's project. The reigning Major League Soccer MVP -- and greatest soccer player ever to lace up cleats -- scored seven goals and dished out four assists in May and the Herons have rediscovered the form that helped them set the MLS points record in 2024, climbing to third in the Eastern Conference in the process.

For his efforts, Messi was named MLS Man of the Match for May.

The Argentine icon was masterful especially in the month's final two matches, with two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win against Montreal and two goals and three assists in a 5-1 rout of the Columbus Crew.

MLS Player of the Month is voted upon by a panel of select national media members in a process conducted by MLS Communications.

Messi, who arrived at Inter Miami in July 2023, has earned three Player of the Month awards, tying him for sixth-most such honors in MLS history; he also won in April 2024 and October 2024.

Five Herons called for international duty before Club World Cup begins

With their team enjoying a recent return to scintillating form, Inter Miami fans are eagerly looking forward to the side's debut on a truly international stage: the Herons host Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly on June 14 in the first match of the FIFA Club World Cup, featuring 32 of the world's greatest sides. The Pink & Black will test themselves against the Red & Black of Al Ahly, the Blue & Yellow of Porto (Portugal) and the Green & White of Palmeiras (Brazil).

If they advance, they could face even bigger names: European champions Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea....

No reasonable onlooker expects Club Internacional de Futbol Miami to win the first-ever 32-team CWC (and the first to be played in the United States) -- it's probably not realistic to think they can survive the admittedly easy group. But only the most hardened Heron haters hope to see the host team humiliated.

So, sending five players off to international duty during what could be key training time might be troublesome. Lionel Messi (Argentina), Fafa Picault (Haiti), Telasco Segovia (Venezuela), Santi Morales (Switzerland) and Benja Cremaschi (U.S. U20s) reported to their national teams.

Still coach Javier Mascherano is taking an optimistic outlook.

“When players go to their national teams...they come back with a new mentality and more confidence," Mascherano told Miami Herald reporter Kaitlyn Pohly. "I wish them all the best, especially Leo, because I'm from Argentina."

Still, Mascherano emphasized that the team's focus is on the Club World Cup.