If there is a player who has had a brutal and immediate impact upon arriving at a team, that is Leo Messi. The Argentine, at 36 years old, landed at Inter Miami after a rich history in Europe with FC Barcelona and a more discreet stint with Paris Saint-Germain.

Now, he has arrived at a slightly more peaceful destination compared to all the noise generated in the high-competition football world in the 'old continent,' bringing his game to a team that, at the time of his arrival, was not one of the most prominent in American soccer. This franchise is relatively new, and their results had not been the most respectable in recent seasons in the top tier of North American football.

However, undoubtedly, after the arrival of Leo Messi at Inter Miami, the change was immediately noticeable. Why? Following his arrival, the entity led by David Beckham went from three seasons without knowing what it was like to lift a title to adding two awards in two seasons: the Leagues Cup 2023 and now the Supporters' Shield in 2024. This latest award is highly relevant as, for the first time in their short history, 'The Herons' finished at the top of their conference, demonstrating significant dominance in the Major League Soccer.

Leo Messi's impressive statistics with Inter Miami

So far, Leo Messi has scored a total of 30 goals in just 34 matches played for Inter Miami, placing himself in the second position of the team's all-time top scorers, surpassed only by his current teammate, Leonardo Campana, with 31 goals. The particularity is that 'The Flea' reached these numbers in just 34 matches, while the Ecuadorian forward needed 96 matches to achieve it, representing a difference of 62 games played.

How are Leo Messi's goals distributed with Inter Miami?

  • 21/07/2023: Cruz Azul 1-2 Inter Miami (Leagues Cup): One goal.
  • 25/07/2023: Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United (Leagues Cup): Two goals.
  • 02/08/2023: Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City (Leagues Cup): Two goals.
  • 06/08/2023: FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami (p) (Leagues Cup): Two goals.
  • 11/08/2023: Inter Miami 4-0 Charlotte FC (Leagues Cup). One goal.
  • 15/08/2023: Philadelphia Union 1-4 Inter Miami (Leagues Cup): One goal.
  • 19/08/2023: Nashville SC 0-1 Inter Miami (Leagues Cup): One goal.
  • 26/08/2023: New York Red Bulls 0-2 Inter Miami (MLS): One goal.
  • 25/02/2024: LA Galaxy 1-1 Inter Miami (MLS): One goal.
  • 02/03/2024: Inter Miami 5-0 Orlando City (MLS): Two goals.
  • 07/03/2024: Nashville SC 2-2 Inter Miami (MLS): One goal.
  • 13/03/2024: Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville SC (Concacaf Champions Cup): One goal.
  • 06/04/2024: Inter Miami 2-2 Colorado Rapids (MLS): One goal.
  • 13/04/2024: Sporting Kansas City 2-3 Inter Miami (MLS): One goal.
  • 20/04/2024: Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville SC (MLS): Two goals.
  • 27/04/2024: New England Revolution 1-4 Inter Miami (MLS): Two goals.
  • 04/05/2024: Inter Miami 6-2 New York Red Bulls (MLS): One goal.
  • 29/05/2024: Inter Miami 1-3 Atlanta United (MLS): One goal.
  • 01/06/2024: Inter Miami 3-3 St. Louis City SC (MLS): One goal.
  • 14/09/2024: Inter Miami 2-1 Philadelphia Union (MLS): Two goals.
  • 28/09/2024: Inter Miami 1-1 Charlotte FC (MLS): One goal.
  • 02/10/2024: Columbus Crew 2-3 Inter Miami (MLS): Two goals.

Additionally, Leo Messi has contributed in assists, currently totaling 17 assists. In Inter Miami's history, he ranks second in this aspect, just behind his current teammate, Robert Taylor, who has provided 18 assists in a total of 106 matches with 'The Herons'.

Leo Messi's individual titles with Inter Miami

Finally, in addition to the two collective titles achieved with Inter Miami, Leo Messi has also secured two individual accolades in the Leagues Cup: the MVP and the Golden Boot of said tournament. These achievements are just a hint of what the Argentine could continue to accomplish. His arrival in American soccer has not only been a blessing for 'Tata' Martino's team, but it has also become a stimulus for American soccer in general. The presence of such a caliber star has made football in the country much more attractive and competitive.