Lionel Messi takes the U.S. by storm
Leo's impact on the beautiful game in America is unprecedented.
As expected, the Argentinian star has had a massive impact at Inter Miami, both in terms of results and audience.
His debut went viral and was the hottest ticket in town, with celebrities such as LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams, and Marc Anthony spotted at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.
If there were any doubts about his form, Messi put them to bed on the first day. He debuted with a victory, scoring a stunning free-kick in the 94th minute to break the deadlock against Cruz Azul in the first match of the Leagues Cup 2023.
Since then, Messi has been unstoppable. He played 14 matches with his new team, including the US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and the regular MLS season, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists. What’s more, he logged a total of 1,116 minutes of action on the field.
With the Argentinian on the pitch, Inter Miami were a force to be reckoned with. They won 11 of those 14 matches, drew one, and lost two. Their clear rise in performances were enough to see ‘The Herons’ win the Leagues Cup, the first title in their history.
And, in one of the matches they lost, Messi started on the bench and only played 35 minutes, reflecting his importance for the club.
The club wanted to give Messi all the support necessary and brought in ‘Tata’ Martino as coach, along with Busquets and Jordi Alba to bolster the squad. They have clearly made a difference. As if that wasn't enough, Luis Suárez is also expected to join the team.
The fans have rallied behind the team, and Messi seems far happier than in Paris: “They make me feel at home. For us, it’s been amazing since we arrived.”
The impact can also be seen in the facilities. The DVR PNK Stadium had a capacity of 19,000 spectators, but soon after his arrival work began to expand it to 22,000.
Due to all this, prices have skyrocketed. Before his announcement, tickets were around $40, but now they’re never below $205, even in the best case.
After failing to qualify for the Playoffs, rumors intensified about a possible loan of Leo Messi to Barcelona, which would have given him the farewell at his former club the fans wanted so much. Social media was abuzz with the rumors, with comparisons being made to Beckham. The current co-owner of Inter Miami was loaned to Milan for six months in 2009 after his Los Angeles side was eliminated.
The excitement quickly faded. 'Tata' Martino himself said in a press conference that he knew nothing about it and joked about the situation: “He’s not going just for a stroll, is he?”. Barça wants to pay tribute to him, but for now, they will have to wait.
Despite missing out on the MLS playoffs, Inter Miami is a sporting project generating enormous expectations with Messi on the pitch and David Beckham in management.
The team's trip to Asia for a series of friendly matches this year is proof that Messimania is more alive than ever... and the conquest of the United States is not yet over.
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