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The great 'curse' of the Supporters Shield: What is it and how could it help Messi to be MLS champion?
Nov 25 2025 19:16 · By RYAN MITCHELL · 90 Reads
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T hroughout the world there are leagues and championships that have different formats to reward the champion of the season and although sometimes they are difficult to understand, what is most questioned is the worthiness of the champions after not having been the best of the whole year. This phenomenon happens in MLS and is known as the "Supporters' Shield curse."
The MLS playoffs are in full swing and the United States is preparing to have a new champion. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have a great chance of lifting the trophy and the "curse" that is being talked about could pave the way for the Argentine to continue making history at club level.
The Supporters' Shield curse that could help Messi
The Supporters' Shield is a trophy awarded to the best team of the year in MLS. The team that scores the most points in the regular season automatically receives this trophy, which is a reward for consistency, but does not guarantee that you will be the best in the playoffs.
The curse lies in the fact that there are many occasions when the regular season champion is not able to maintain the level in the playoffs and ends up being eliminated early. This year it happened to the Philadelphia Union, the team that was the most consistent, but in the playoffs was not up to the task. Statistics say that only eight times has the Supporters' Shield winner been crowned in the MLS Cup , with LAFC in 2022 being the last to do so. This alarming figure gives hope to Messi and Inter Miami, as the curse will not run for them because they were not the champions of the Supporters' Shield.
Messi's rival criticized for asking for his shirt
Over the weekend, Inter Miami defeated Cincinnati by four goals to nil to qualify for the MLS Cup final. One of the stars of the match was Lionel Messi, who shone with goals and assists, so much so that a rival player asked him for his shirt.
Teenage Hadebe asked Messi for his shirt after the match and this sparked the fury of former player and analyst Kaylyn Kyle.
"Messi is the best in history, he has won absolutely everything... but you just lost 4-0. Is it really the time to ask for his shirt? For me, it's to feel embarrassed," Kyle explained, questioning the Cincinnati player, as she believes there are other times to ask for a shirt.