October 20, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi’s impact on Inter Miami and Major League Soccer (MLS) has been nothing short of transformative. His move to David Beckham’s side in the summer of 2023 marked a watershed moment for the league, ushering in unprecedented levels of attention, global interest, and competitive success for a team that had been languishing in the lower half of the table just a season before.
Fast forward to the end of the 2024 regular season, and Messi’s influence is clearer than ever, with Inter Miami smashing the MLS points record, racking up an impressive 74 points, and entering the playoffs in spectacular form.
Messi’s contribution to Inter Miami’s record-breaking season was capped in their 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution, a game where he scored an 11-minute hat-trick. This display, coming off the bench late in the second half, encapsulated the Argentine’s continued brilliance at the age of 37. Miami had initially fallen 2-0 behind, but two quickfire goals from Luis Suárez brought them level, setting the stage for Messi’s magic.
The Argentine maestro added a clinical edge, combining with long-time teammate Jordi Alba to set up Benja Cremaschi for the go-ahead goal before delivering a series of stunning strikes himself, taking his tally for the MLS season to 20 goals.
It was Messi’s first hat-trick in MLS, and his partnership with Suárez has been one of the standout features of Inter Miami’s resurgence. Both players finished the regular season with 20 goals each, making Miami the first team in MLS history to have two players score at least 20 goals during a single season. The addition of other experienced players like Alba and Sergio Busquets has turned Miami into a cohesive and dangerous unit, a team capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The attention Messi has drawn to MLS is unparalleled. From packed stadiums to soaring TV ratings, his presence has made American soccer a global talking point. Messi’s involvement has also attracted several star names to Miami, further raising the profile of the league. More than that, his performances have proven that MLS is no retirement league but a competitive platform where elite players can continue to excel as Olivier Giroud is currently doing.
Messi’s influence goes beyond the pitch as well. His success in MLS coincides with the United States co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. His ability to bring top-tier football to American soil is a prelude to the attention the sport is set to receive in the lead-up to the World Cup. With Messi continuing to perform at the highest level, the narrative surrounding American soccer has shifted. Football in the U.S. is no longer just about potential; it is about realising that potential, with Messi at the centre of it.
As Inter Miami heads into the MLS playoffs, they do so with three consecutive victories and considerable momentum. The team’s success under Messi, coupled with their qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, means that Miami is no longer just a domestic force; they will now test themselves against the world’s best clubs. This represents a massive opportunity not just for Messi and Inter Miami, but for MLS as a whole, which will be under the global spotlight like never before.
What comes next for Messi is always a point of speculation. He continues to break records, having also secured an eighth Ballon d’Or, and his form in the MLS suggests he is far from finished. His performances at 37 reflect a player still deeply motivated to compete and win, whether in the MLS, the Club World Cup, or the broader international stage. For Inter Miami, the challenge will be maintaining this success and building a legacy that extends beyond Messi’s playing days.
For now, Messi has undoubtedly redefined what is possible for football in the U.S.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
