All eyes are on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami as the global superstar competes in his first full season in MLS in 2024 — and those eyes have included those of our Andy Edwards as Messi hit the Midwest.
If you thought Messi-mania hit hard in late 2023 after he arrived in Miami, 2024 is going to be off the charts.
Five assists in a single half to set an MLS record? Yeah, that’ll do it, Leo.
[ MORE: Messi shines in Mahomes’ home ]
Inter Miami allowed the first and last goals of Saturday’s game against New York Red Bulls but hung a half-dozen on the Northeastern side in the middle, as Messi scored and set up a brace for Matias Rojas and hat trick for Luis Suarez.
No big deal.
Inter Miami remain top of the table with 24 points, and the David Beckham-owned side go on the road next with a Saturday match at CF Montreal.
Messi has had some injury issues so far this season but when Messi has been available he had been averaging more than two goal involvements per game.
Messi has now played less than a season’s worth of games in an Inter Miami shirt when you add his appearances across all competitions. His numbers are, in true Messi form, stunning to the eye. Messi has appeared in 24 games for Miami, scoring 22 times with 11 assists. That’s pretty good.
MLS: 8 games, 10 goals, 9 assists
CONCACAF Champions Cup: 3 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
All competitions: 11 games, 12 goals, 11 assists
MLS: 6 games, 1 goal, 2 assists
U.S. Open Cup: 1 game, 2 assists
Leagues Cup: 7 games, 10 goals, 1 assist
All competitions: 14 games, 11 goals, 5 assists
With cities across the USA and Canada eagerly awaiting Messi to turn up and showcase his skills, there is huge excitement around this MLS season. Add in that Suarez has joined Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami and the Barcelona reunion vibes are strong under their former Barca coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
The pressure is on Tata and Messi to deliver MLS Cup this year with the former winning it with Atalanta United in the past, while Messi led Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory just a few months after he arrived last summer and they also reached the U.S. Open Cup final but fell short to the Houston Dynamo.
Everyone expects Inter Miami to win it all in 2024 as Messi will be wrapped in cotton wool and it will be intriguing to see how he adapts to the unique travel and climate conditions in the North American soccer realm.
Below is everything you need for this season, including the Inter Miami 2024 schedule in full.
The 2024 MLS season kicked off on February 21 and the opening game was in, you guessed it, Miami.
Their first game was at home against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 21, as Inter Miami won 2-0 and Messi picked up an assist. Inter Miami are the favorites to win everything in MLS and everyone is eager to see how Tata lines up his star-studded side.
The likes of FC Cincinnati, reigning MLS Cup champs Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union are all expected to make another deep run in the playoffs. Look out for LAFC, Seattle Sounders, St, Louis City and Miami’s in-state rivals Orlando City too.
All kick off times listed as ET
*CONCACAF Champions Cup match
Wednesday, February 21: 2-0 win vs Real Salt Lake – 1 assist for Messi
Sunday, February 25: 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy – 1 goal for Messi
Saturday, March 2: 5-0 win vs Orlando City – 2 goals for Messi, 2 g + 2 a for Suarez
*Wednesday, March 7: 2-2 draw at Nashville SC – 1 goal
Sunday, March 10: 2-3 defeat vs CF Montreal – Messi did not play
*Wednesday, March 13: 3-1 win vs Nashville SC – 1 goal, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, March 16: 3-1 win at DC United – Messi did not play
Saturday, March 23: 4-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls – Messi did not play
Saturday, March 30: 1-1 draw vs New York City FC – Messi did not play
*Wednesday, April 3: 1-2 loss vs Monterrey – Messi did not play
Saturday, April 6: 2-2 draw vs Colorado Rapids – 1 goal for Messi, sets up 2nd goal
*Wednesday, April 10: 1-3 loss at Monterrey – 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, April 13: 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City – 1 goal, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, April 20: 3-1 win vs Nashville SC – 1 goal, 2 assists for Messi
Saturday, April 27: 4-1 win at New England Revolution – 2 goals, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, May 4: 6-2 win vs New York Red Bulls – 1 goal, 5 assists for Messi
Next up
Saturday, May 11 at CF Montreal – 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 15 at Orlando City – 7:30pm
Saturday, May 18 vs DC United – 7:30pm
Saturday, May 25 at Vancouver Whitecaps – 10:30pm
Wednesday, May 29 vs Atlanta United – 7:30pm
Saturday, June 1 vs St. Louis City SC – 7:30pm
Saturday, June 15 at Philadelphia Union – 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 19 vs Columbus Crew – 7:30pm
Saturday, June 29 at Nashville SC – 8:30pm
Wednesday, July 3 at Charlotte FC – 7:30pm
Saturday, July 6 at FC Cincinnati – 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 17 vs Toronto FC – 7:30pm
Saturday, July 20 vs Chicago Fire – 7:30pm
Saturday, August 24 vs FC Cincinnati – 7:30pm
Saturday, August 31 at Chicago Fire – 8:30pm
Saturday, September 14 vs Philadelphia Union – 7:30pm
Wednesday, September 18 at Atlanta United – 7:30pm
Saturday, September 21 at New York City FC – 2pm
Saturday, September 28 vs Charlotte FC – 7:30pm
Wednesday, October 2 at Columbus Crew – 7:30pm
Saturday, October 5 at Toronto FC – 7:30pm
Saturday, October 19 vs New England Revolution – 6pm
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