Former USMNT and MLS striker Herculez Gomez has sparked discussion in the soccer world with his recent comments about Lionel Messi’s growing frustration with his Inter Miami teammates. Despite the team’s convincing 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on May 4, Gomez believes the Argentine superstar is struggling with the performance levels of those around him, highlighting the immense pressure on Inter Miami to deliver consistent results.
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, was instrumental in the recent win, scoring a second-half volley to secure a comfortable lead for the Herons. The victory marked a return to winning ways for Inter Miami, snapping a poor run of form that included a disappointing 5-1 aggregate defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. However, Gomez, a respected voice in North American soccer, suggested that Messi’s high standards are not being met by his teammates, creating tension within the star-studded squad.
“Messi is annoyed with how things are going,” Gomez said, as reported by Goal.com. “You can see it in his body language, the way he reacts when passes don’t connect or when players don’t match his intensity.” Gomez pointed to Messi’s demanding nature, a trait that has driven his success at clubs like FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as a factor in his visible frustration. While Messi’s goal-scoring prowess remains undeniable—he has netted three goals in his last five matches—Gomez believes the lack of synergy with teammates is hindering the team’s potential.
Inter Miami’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag. Under the guidance of head coach Javier Mascherano, a former Barcelona teammate of Messi’s, the team has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. Reports have also surfaced about Messi’s dissatisfaction with Mascherano’s tactical setups, adding to the challenges facing the club. The recent departure of key players, including Julian Gressel, Leonardo Campana, and Diego Gomez, has further complicated efforts to build a cohesive unit around the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The pressure on Inter Miami is intensified by their high-profile roster, which includes former Barcelona stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. With the highest payroll in MLS history, expectations are sky-high for the team to dominate domestically and regionally. However, losses like the 4-3 defeat to FC Dallas on April 29, where Messi was absent, and the Champions Cup exit to Vancouver have raised questions about the team’s ability to meet those expectations.
Messi’s influence on and off the field remains undeniable. His presence has elevated the profile of MLS, drawing record crowds, such as the 60,614 fans who attended Inter Miami’s 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew in Cleveland. Yet, as Gomez noted, Messi’s frustration could be a double-edged sword. “He’s pushing everyone to be better, but not everyone can operate at his level,” Gomez said. “That’s the challenge for Inter Miami—finding players who can keep up.”