MLS
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami return to MLS action
Inter Miami have gone 11 games without a win and sit bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi has had a major impact in just 33 days with Inter Miami. With a stunning debut goal against Cruz Azul, he hit the ground running, going on to help the club win the Leagues Cup.
He failed to score for the first time in an Inter Miami shirt on Wednesday, but he did provide two assists against FC Cincinnati before Tata Martino’s side advanced to the final of the US Open Cup on penalties.
Messi’s MLS debut
Messi is now set for his first MLS match. What has made the man from Rosario’s record with the Florida club to date even more remarkable is just how bad they had been before his arrival. Inter Miami currently sit last in the Eastern Conference due to a poor run before Messi made the move across the Atlantic.
The World Cup-winning captain, alongside experienced Spanish team-mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, has 12 games to help the team co-owned by David Beckham move up the table and reach a possible playoff spot.
On Saturday, Inter take on New York Red Bulls away from home. They will be looking to improve their poor record which has seen them pick up just 18 points from 22 MLS games, going 11 games without a win.
Eight games in 33 days for Messi
After playing eight games in 33 days, Messi could start Saturday’s game on the bench. The Argentine forward, 36, has played a total of 684 minutes for his new club - 36′ on his debut, 78′ against Atlanta, 90′ in five games and 120′ on Wednesday. The numbers don’t lie, with Messi in the team, Inter are a far stronger side.
Inter Miami’s fixtures
After Inter Miami play New York Red Bulls, they will host Nashville SC on Wednesday before travelling to face Los Angeles FC on Sunday.