In 2021, when New England Revolution set a points record for a Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, with 73 from 34 games, Inter Miami finished 32 points adrift. In fact, in their first four seasons in the competition, Miami’s best finish was sixth in the Eastern Conference in 2022, with a paltry 48 points. In 2023, when Lionel Messi’s arrival from Europe was tom-tommed across the world, they finished 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, with a dismal 34 points.
A year on, the landscape is very different. In 2023, Messi played just six league games, though he had a huge role to play in the club winning the Leagues Cup, which also features teams from Canada and Mexico. Even this year, Messi has hardly been ever-present, with injuries – especially the knock to the ankle picked up during the Copa America – restricting him to just 17 matches in the league.
But in those games alone, he has struck 17 goals, including two on Wednesday night as Miami clinched the prestigious Supporters’ Shield – for the team with the best regular-season record – with two games to spare. The second of the goals against Colombus Crew was vintage Messi, a free kick of such beauty and precision that it left those watching open-mouthed.
It helps that his old compadre, Luis Suarez, has joined him in Florida and banged in 18 goals. There is also the presence of Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – another Barcelona and Argentina connection – on the sidelines. The play-off road is long and winding and ends only on December 7, but if Messi can stay fully fit, few would bet against Miami (currently on 68 points from 32 games) breaking the points record and clinching the MLS Cup.
Messi isn’t part of the Ballon d’Or conversation for 2024, and was conspicuous by his absence on another midweek of revamped UEFA Champions League matches in Europe. He knew when he left European football that he would be on the very fringes of the football radar. But even at 37 and with his body struggling to cope with full seasons, he retains the magic to completely transform a team’s fortunes – both on the field and with his inspirational presence off it.
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