The frenzy surrounding Lionel Messi’s arrival was expected to make New Jersey the center of the soccer universe on Saturday night, especially judging by the impact felt by his first eight home and road matches in cup play since his landmark transfer to Inter Miami in July.
It still was not announced as of late afternoon whether the Argentinian superstar was in the starting 11 or playing at all in his MLS regular-season debut against the Red Bulls in Harrison, but the seven-time
Ballon d’Or winner as the best player in the world already had made a massive impact in his first seven weeks with David Beckham’s club.
Here is a breakdown of the first eight matches — all victories for a last-place side that had posted a 5-14-3 record before his arrival — that the 36-year-old Messi had played entering Saturday’s visit to Red Bull Arena:
July 21: Inter Miami 2, Cruz Azul 1
What a start.
With three training sessions under his belt following his summertime move from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi made his debut off the bench in Fort Lauderdale in the Leagues Cup opener and buried the winner on a brilliant free kick late in second-half stoppage time to vault his new club to victory.
With stars such as LeBron James, Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams on hand, Messi entered in the 54th minute to a standing ovation and chants of his last name.
In stoppage time, Messi was fouled 7 yards outside the penalty box and buried his first goal on a left-footed shot that bent around the defensive wall and beat the Cruz Azul goalkeeper for Miami’s second victory in 11 matches since May 23.
July 25: Inter Miami 4, Atlanta United 0
In his first appearance against an MLS opponent four days later, fans didn’t have to wait quite as long for Messi to score in the Leagues Cup second round.
Starting for the first time and wearing the captain’s arm band, Messi scored twice in the opening 22 minutes of the match against Atlanta in another spectacular performance.
Aug. 2: Inter Miami 3, Orlando City 1
The 2022 World Cup winner made it five goals in three games with two more in the Round of 32 of Leagues Cup play on the road against Orlando City SC.
In a chippy match, Messi also was assessed a yellow card for a brief tussle with Orlando’s Kyle Smith in the first half before also getting agitated with opponent Cesar Araujo at the halftime whistle.
The game, which was delayed 90 minutes at the start due to thunderstorms, marked the Miami debut of Barcelona transfer Jordi Alba.
Aug. 6: Inter Miami 4, FC Dallas 4 (Won 5-3 in penalty kicks)
WIth 100-degree temperatures in Texas at game time, Messi led Miami to a comeback from a two-goal deficit and an advancement in penalty kicks (5-3), netting two more goals — including the tying score late in regulation — for three straight two-goal games and seven in his first four appearances.
He also buried his chance from the spot in the PK shootout.
Aug. 11: Inter Miami 4, Charlotte FC 0
In the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, Messi made it a five-game scoring streak with his eighth goal in an easier home win over Charlotte.
Miami already was up by three when Messi connected with four minutes remaining to advance to the semis.
It marked the third time in four games that Miami, which had been averaging barely one goal per game before Messi’s arrival, scored four times.
Aug. 15: Inter Miami 4, Philadelphia 1
Make it four of five with at least four, including a goal in a sixth straight game for Messi, as Miami won again on the road to advance into the Leagues Cup finals, Messi’s new MLS club also clinched a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time in team history.
Aug. 19: Inter Miami 1, Nashville SC 1 (Won 10-9 in penalty kicks)
With the Nashville crowd booing him every time he touched the ball, Messi scored again early in regulation and again in a wild PK shootout as Miami lifted the Leagues Cup trophy, its first tournament/cup win in team history.
Getty Images
For Messi, make that 10 goals in a seven-game scoring streak, all victories for Miami.
Aug. 23: Inter Miami 3, FC Cincinnati 3 (Won 5-4 in penalty kicks)
In Messi’s first U.S. Open Cup appearance, he didn’t score but played all 120 minutes and assisted on two goals, including a cross to Leonardo Campana for the equalizer with a minute remaining in stoppage time.
He also converted again in penalties as Miami advanced to another cup final, where it will face Houston on Sept. 27 at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.
That extended workload was the basis for the uncertainty surrounding his status for Saturday’s match against the Red Bulls.
Credit: Source link
