It’s real and it’s spectacular. Lionel Messi has taken North American football by storm since his landmark move to Inter Miami. The Argentinian icon, 36, shied away from a romantic return to Barcelona and a lavish offer from Saudi Arabia to play in Major League Soccer, putting pen to paper after three years of tough negotiations between club owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham.
His arrival promises to change Inter Miami and Major League Soccer. This will further increase the profile of the sport in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. All those involved are also doing quite well financially; Messi is set to earn between $50m and $60m a year on his first two-year deal, while an alleged profit-sharing deal with Apple TV+, home of the MLS streaming service, has played a key role in bringing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to Fort Lauderdale .
But how has he fared on the pitch so far? Messi has yet to play an official MLS game as his arrival coincided with Inter Miami’s participation in the Leagues Cup, a 47-team midseason tournament in which all MLS and Liga MX sides participate. However, in less than a month he has already made a huge impact on the league, his club and his new team-mates. Every time he steps onto the field, it’s a must-watch.
Here’s a game-by-game analysis and summary of Messi’s first five League Cup appearances for Inter Miami, starting with his picture-perfect debut.
July 21: Inter Miami 2-1 Cruz Azul
Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
participation: 20,512
It really doesn’t get any more magical than that.
With a bevy of celebrities in attendance – including LeBron James and Serena Williams – and a feverish intrigue, Messi made for an epic moment in his first game in pink, coming on off the bench and scoring a trademark free-kick in the 94th minute, the sent shivers down the spine and delivered a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexican opponents Cruz Azul.
“Tonight is a dream come true for everyone in this arena – and for everyone in this country,” Beckham said after experiencing a moment that felt like it was straight out of a Hollywood script. “I’m at a loss for words.” Same, David.
| category | Stat |
|---|---|
| minutes played | 36 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Supports | 0 |
| Expected Goals + Assists | 0.59 |
| shot attempts | 3 |
| shots on target | 2 |
| key passes | 1 |
Evaluation: 10/10
July 25: Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United
Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
participation: 19,758
Messi’s encore wasn’t too bad either.
The newly crowned Inter Miami captain made his debut for the club and immediately took the lead. He scored a brace against Atlanta United in the first 22 minutes, including a goal he scored after longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets threw the ball over the opposition’s defence. Messi also played a key role in the other two goals, adding an assist to his tally when he played Robert Taylor, the Finnish midfielder who has changed since Messi’s arrival.
In less than two full games, it became clear that the entire Inter Miami squad is circling around the world champion.
| category | Stat |
|---|---|
| minutes played | 78 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Supports | 1 |
| Expected Goals + Assists | 1.6 |
| shot attempts | 4 |
| shots on target | 3 |
| key passes | 2 |
Evaluation: 10/10
August 2: Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City
Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
participation: 20,181
Messi’s habit of scoring shortly after stepping onto the pitch continued into his third game, a heated game against local rivals Orlando City. In the seventh minute he ducked into the penalty area before firing the ball in from close range – leaving him alone seems unwise. He then cemented Miami’s victory with another goal in the 72nd minute.
The minor legend’s goals were thwarted by a Josef Martinez penalty and came after a severe weather warning delayed the start of the competition by nearly two hours.
| category | Stat |
|---|---|
| minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Supports | 0 |
| Expected Goals + Assists | 1.46 |
| shot attempts | 5 |
| shots on target | 3 |
| key passes | 1 |
Evaluation: 9/10
August 6: FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami
*Inter Miami wins 5-3 on penalties
Venue: Toyota Stadium
participation: 19,096
What a roller coaster ride.
Messi’s first away game for Inter Miami started exactly like his previous two games: with an early goal. On a muggy evening in Texas, he scored the opening goal, flicking the ball in after a Jordi Alba pass from the left wing. The sequence was eerily similar to his famous 2017 goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, which Messi celebrated by showing his jersey to the rabid crowd.
However, instead of a procession, chaos ensued. FC Dallas, who have exploited Miami’s defensive deficiencies better than anyone since Messi’s arrival, eventually built a 4-2 lead with ten minutes remaining. But a massive own goal reduced that lead and paved the way for Messi to equalize with another sensational free-kick in the final minutes.
That ball rolled into the top corner and sent the game straight to penalties, where Messi converted his try and secured a wild win for Miami.
| category | Stat |
|---|---|
| minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Supports | 0 |
| Expected Goals + Assists | 0.96 |
| shot attempts | 5 |
| shots on target | 3 |
| key passes | 4 |
Evaluation: 10/10
August 11: Inter Miami 4-0 Charlotte FC
Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
participation: 20,368
Charlotte FC has managed better than any other team to date to limit Messi’s usually enormous influence on a football match. They still lost 4-0.
In the best example yet of Messi making those around him better just by being there, the rest of the squad lined up to lead Tata Martino’s side to the League Cup semi-finals. Taylor has perhaps been the biggest benefactor on the pitch to date. The 28-year-old wide midfielder, a journeyman who has spent much of his career playing around at various Scandinavian clubs, suddenly looks like top Angel Di Maria and maintained his red-hot form with a goal against Charlotte.
Of course, Messi kept his own prolific streak alive and added some sparkle to the end result with a late goal. Even in his most inconspicuous appearance for Inter Miami, he still scored. It’s all too easy for him right now, as shown in the first half when he used a classic drop of the shoulder to smack his opponent, sending him crashing into a Charlotte teammate in the process. Messi moved at walking pace in the sequence.
Overall rating so far
Damn good!
Messi has scored eight goals in less than five full games and is now at the top of the team in all competitions with Martinez this season. The Venezuelan forward has played 20 more games than his Argentinian counterpart.
In five games, Messi leads the League Cup in both goals scored and shots on goal, and is level on points in total number of shot attempts. So, yeah, he could just be one few better than everyone else around him at the moment.
Busquets and to a lesser extent Alba certainly made an impression but let’s face it, Messi changed everything. Inter Miami was the worst team in Major League Soccer when it landed in Florida and was bottom in the Eastern Conference. Technically, they still are. But no matter what happens in the League Cup, when MLS play resumes everyone will be excited as Messi tries to get his side through to the play-offs.
He will have 12 games to accomplish this feat. Heck, with the way things are going, Messi could still lead Inter Miami to three trophies this season as the club are also in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup. Would you bet against them now?
