LIONEL MESSI is still finding new moves at the ripe old age of 39.

The Argentine maestro‘s no-look headed assist helped Inter Miami secure continental football with a game to spare after a dramatic 2-1 win over the New England Revolution, although some are questioning whether he meant it.

Daniel Gazdag opened the scoring for the Revs early in the second half, but German Berterame responded in the 69th minute after Messi somehow managed to nod the ball backwards to him from between two defenders.

Messi netted the winner with a trademark winding run and low finish past USA keeper Matt Turner.

Victory saw the Herons leapfrog New England into second place in the Eastern Conference and qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Miami manager Cristian Gonzalez suggested that Messi should have pipped Harry Kane to the Ballon d’Or in last month’s ceremony.

He said: “I have no doubt that he’s the best of all.

“None of them can compare to him when it comes to respect for his colleagues. Leo at his age and what he does, from my point of view, deserves the MVP and also the Ballon d’Or. I hope he can achieve it.”

Messi’s second was straight out of his back catalogue, but some critics accused him of a “bluetooth assist”.

The internet slang was coined to mock Messi and old foe Cristiano Ronaldo for claiming undeserved goals and assists when they hadn’t even touched the ball.

On this occasion, Messi definitely made contact. Whether he deliberately played it right into Berterame’s path is another matter.

If anybody could pull it off, however, it is the GOAT, who has probably earned the benefit of the doubt.

Gonzalez added: “It makes me very happy for the players and for the club, we are on the side of contributing things.

“We are at a club that is in continuous growth, I have players committed to us. We needed to win and we challenged ourselves on what kind of team we wanted to be.”

There was almost late drama, but Ian Fray’s own-goal was ruled offside to ensure Miami took three points home.

Nashville SC, the Revs and the Vancouver Whitecaps are also in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, with the winner of the 2026 MLS Cup joining them.

The Herons finish the regular season against Charlotte FC with playoff seedings on the line.