Lionel Messi has taken North America by storm, scoring goals in each of his first four games with his new club Inter Miami.
The Herons, as they're nicknamed, have featured in Leagues Cup tournament action and are in the Round of 16 of the competition, as Messi hopes to captain his team to a trophy in only his first month in Miami.
Messi has not only scored in every match, but he also has three multi-goal games, and has remarkably made it look easy as opponents have struggled to track the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion and most valuable player.
The Sporting News will be tracking all his goals and stats as he battles on three competitive fronts during what's left of the 2023 season for Inter Miami.
MORE: Inter Miami beginner's guide | Messi's new stadium | Club owners | New coach
How many goals has Messi scored for Inter Miami this season?
So far no one in North America has been able to stop Lionel Messi from scoring. Cruz Azul, Atlanta United, Orlando City, and FC Dallas all tried, and failed.
The best player in the world has fit in seamlessly with his new side, and has barely needed an adjustment period, which has been common for many players arriving in Major League Soccer for the first time.
We'll see how long it takes teams to catch up and figure out how to stop him.
MORE: Inter Miami beginner's guide | Messi's new stadium | Club owners | New coach
Lionel Messi goals for Inter Miami 2023
| Date | Competition | Opponent | Messi Goals | Final Result | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 21 | Leagues Cup | Cruz Azul (MEX) | 1 (90'+4) | W 2-1 | Highlights |
| July 25 | Leagues Cup | Atlanta United | 2 (8', 22') | W 4-0 | Highlights |
| Aug. 2 | Leagues Cup | Orlando City | 2 (7', 72') | W 3-1 | Highlights |
| Aug. 6 | Leagues Cup | FC Dallas | 2 (6', 85') | TBD | Highlights |
| TOTAL: | 7 goals |
MORE: Messi's Miami apartment | Messi's wife & family | Messi's net worth
Lionel Messi stats for Inter Miami in 2023
Lionel Messi already has 7 goals in 4 matches, and so far he's making it look easy, though he's benefitted from lax marking in the penalty area which has allowed him a few easy finishes.
His seven goals have come in 304 minutes of play, which amounts to a clip of 2.2 goals per 90 minutes.
Messi stats 2023
| Competition | Goals | Assists | Matches | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer (MLS) | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Leagues Cup | 7 | 1 | 4 | 304 |
| U.S. Open Cup | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| TOTALS | 7 | 1 | 4 | 304 |
Once the Leagues Cup competition is out of the way, he will hope to lift his team out of last place in MLS's Eastern Conference, and toward a potential playoff spot with 12 league matches remaining.
There will also be a U.S. Open Cup semifinal to play in August, with the team reaching the final four of that competition before Messi's arrival. If they advance past FC Cincinnati, the Open Cup final will be played on Sept. 27.
Inter Miami remaining 2023 schedule
| Date | Competition | Stage | Opponent | H/A | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, July 21 | Leagues Cup | Group stage | Cruz Azul | H | W 2-1 |
| Tues, July 25 | Leagues Cup | Group stage | Atlanta United | H | W 4-0 |
| Wed, Aug. 2 | Leagues Cup | Round of 32 | Orlando City | H | W 3-1 |
| Aug. 6-8 | Leagues Cup | Round of 16 | FC Dallas | A | |
| Aug. 11-12 | Leagues Cup | Quarterfinals | TBD | ||
| Tues, Aug. 15 | Leagues Cup | Semifinal | TBD | ||
| Sat, Aug. 19 | Leagues Cup | Final | TBD | ||
| Sun, Aug. 20 | MLS | Matchday 23 of 34 | Charlotte FC | H | |
| Wed, Aug. 23 | U.S. Open Cup | Semifinal | FC Cincinnati | A | |
| Sat, Aug. 26 | MLS | Matchday 24 of 34 | NY Red Bulls | A | |
| Wed, Aug. 30 | MLS | Matchday 25 of 34 | Nashville SC | H | |
| Sun, Sept. 3 | MLS | Matchday 26 of 34 | LAFC | A | |
| Sat, Sept. 9 | MLS | Matchday 27 of 34 | Sporting KC | H | |
| Sat, Sept. 16 | MLS | Matchday 28 of 34 | Atlanta United | A | |
| Wed, Sept. 20 | MLS | Matchday 29 of 34 | Toronto FC | H | |
| Sun, Sept. 24 | MLS | Matchday 30 of 34 | Orlando City | A | |
| Wed, Sept. 27 | U.S. Open Cup | Final | TBD | ||
| Sat, Sept. 30 | MLS | Matchday 31 of 34 | NYCFC | H | |
| Wed, Oct. 4 | MLS | Matchday 32 of 34 | Chicago Fire | A | |
| Sat, Oct. 7 | MLS | Matchday 33 of 34 | FC Cincinnati | H | |
| Sat, Oct. 21 | MLS | Matchday 34 of 34 | Charlotte FC | A | |
| TBD | MLS Playoffs | TBD | TBD |
