Lionel Messi's start to his Inter Miami career has been an unmitigated success, dragging the club to its first-ever final just seven matches into his stint in the United States.
The Argentine has completely turned around Inter Miami's fortunes, with the team entering the Leagues Cup sitting bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, but suddenly toppling U.S. giants.
It's remarkable how immediate the 180-degree flip has been, as Messi —along with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — revive David Beckham's club. With their new players in tow, Inter Miami have risen like a phoenix from the ashes.
Yet the job in front of them is still daunting. Bottom of the MLS standings upon his arrival, Inter Miami need a historic final third of the season if they wish to make a furious run up the table and into a playoff position. The Sporting News brings you an overview of how Inter Miami have done since Messi joined the club in mid-July.
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Lionel Messi record with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi has yet to taste defeat with Inter Miami, winning six of his 10 matches with the club, and securing the Leagues Cup trophy, which is Inter Miami's first title in the club's history.
His 11 goals through the first 10 matches of his Inter Miami career underpin just how remarkable the Argentine has been at his new home. The U.S. Open Cup semifinal against FC Cincinnati was the first game with Inter Miami in which he did not score, and he still provided two critical assists.
On his Major League Soccer debut against the New York Red Bulls, Messi didn't start as Gerardo Martino looked to get him rest, but he still came off the bench to score the goal to seal victory late.
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Result | Messi mins | Messi goals |
| Jul. 22, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Group Stage | vs. Cruz Azul | W 2-1 | 36' | 1 |
| Jul. 26, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Group Stage | vs. Atlanta Utd | W 4-0 | 78' | 2 |
| Aug. 3, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32 | vs. Orlando City | W 3-1 | 90' | 2 |
| Aug. 7, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 16 | at FC Dallas | D 4-4* | 90 | 2 |
| Aug. 12, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Quarterfinals | vs. Charlotte FC | W 4-0 | 90' | 1 |
| Aug. 16, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Semifinals | at Philadelphia | W 4-1 | 90' | 1 |
| Aug. 20, 2023 | 2023 Leagues Cup Final | at Nashville SC | D 1-1* | 90' | 1 |
| Aug. 23, 2023 | 2023 U.S. Open Cup Semifinals | at FC Cincinnati | D 3-3* | 120' | 0 |
| Aug. 26, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at NY Red Bulls | W 2-0 | 30' | 1 |
| Aug. 30, 2023 | Major League Soccer | vs. Nashville SC | D 0-0 | 90' | 0 |
| Sep. 3, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at LAFC | |||
| Sep. 9, 2023 | Major League Soccer | vs. Sporting KC | |||
| Sep. 16, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at Atlanta United | |||
| Sep. 20, 2023 | Major League Soccer | vs. Toronto FC | |||
| Sep. 24, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at Orlando City | |||
| Sep. 30, 2023 | Major League Soccer | vs. NYCFC | |||
| Oct. 4, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at Chicago Fire | |||
| Oct. 7, 2023 | Major League Soccer | vs. FC Cincinnati | |||
| Oct. 21, 2023 | Major League Soccer | at Charlotte FC | |||
| TBD** | Major League Soccer | vs. Charlotte FC | |||
| TOTAL (W-D-L) | 6-4-0 | 804' | 11 |
* Inter Miami advanced via penalty shootout
** The home match vs. Charlotte FC originally scheduled for Fri, Aug. 18 was postponed due to Inter Miami's appearance in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal
Lionel Messi goals, stats with Inter Miami
Now having made his official MLS debut, Lionel Messi has been absurdly prolific in his early minutes for Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals in his first 10 matches with the club.
Messi went nine straight matches to start his Inter Miami career with a goal contribution, before Nashville SC became the first to keep the Argentine — and thus, his entire team — off the scoresheet.
| Season | Competition | Games | Goals | Assists | Mins |
| 2023 | Major League Soccer | 2 | 1 | 0 | 120 |
| 2023 | Leagues Cup | 7 | 10 | 1 | 564 |
| 2023 | U.S. Open Cup | 1 | 0 | 2 | 120 |
| TOTAL | 10 | 11 | 3 | 804 |
