Lionel Messi Games: Inter Miami CF
Eight Goals for Messi in Five Games
Messi Energizes Inter Miami
Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer has been some of the biggest soccer news of the Summer. Messi has not disappointed thus far, as Inter Miami are unbeaten in the six games he’s played in. Messi, along with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, have re-energized Inter Miami. On Tuesday, Inter Miami are in the Leagues Cup semifinal vs. Philadelphia Union. So we’ll take a look at that match and the remaining Lionel Messi games in the 2023 season.
Lionel Messi Matches
Messi’s Impact So Far
Lionel Messi made an instant impact upon his arrival to Inter Miami. The first Lionel Messi game for Inter Miami was on July 21st in the Leagues Cup vs. Cruz Azul. Messi came on in the 54th minute as a substitute, along with Sergio Busquets, and they put in excellent performances. In front of the home crowd, Messi scored on a last-minute free kick as Inter Miami won 2-1.
Messi managed to score twice and provide an assist in his first start as Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 4-0. With two wins, Inter Miami won their group in the Leagues Cup and faced Florida rivals Orlando City in the round of 32. There, the legendary Argentine scored twice once again as Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-2.
In the round of 16, Messi scored within six minutes and scored the game-tying goal as Inter Miami came back from 4-2 down to draw 4-4. In penalties, Messi scored Inter Miami’s first penalty as they advanced with a 5-3 shootout win. For his eighth goal in five games, Messi scored Inter Miami’s fourth and final goal in the 4-0 win over Charlotte in the quarterfinals.
With nine goals and three assists in just six games, Messi has lived up to the hype so far. Messi’s career stats are frankly ridiculous, with over 800 goals at the senior club level.
Remaining Matches
The final, or third place match of the Leagues Cup, will be on August 19th. Inter Miami’s next match after that will be in another cup competition, the U.S. Open Cup. Messi & Co. will head to Cincinnati FC on August 23rd for the semifinals.
Then, their MLS schedule will resume on August 26th, when Inter Miami head to New Jersey to face the NY Red Bulls. Messi could make his MLS debut in that match and Inter Miami certainly need him to reverse their fortunes. Inter Miami are in last place in the Eastern Conference MLS standings and are 12 points outside of a playoff spot.
With just 12 potential MLS Lionel Messi games on the regular season schedule, there aren’t many opportunities to see him play. With his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami as well, they could make a potential playoff push.
| Date | Event | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 15 | Leagues Cup Semifinal | Philadelphia Union | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Aug. 19 | Leagues Cup Final/Third Place Game | TBD | TBD |
| Aug. 23 | U.S. Open Cup Semifinal | FC Cincinnati | 7:00 p.m. |
| Postponed | MLS | TBD vs. Charlotte | TBD |
| Aug. 26 | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 7:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 30 | MLS | Nashville SC | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 3 | MLS | LAFC | 10:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 9 | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 16 | MLS | Atlanta United | 5:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | MLS | Toronto FC | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 24 | MLS | Orlando City SC | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 30 | MLS | New York City FC | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 | MLS | Chicago Fire FC | 8:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 | MLS | FC Cincinnati | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 21 | MLS | Charlotte FC | 6:00 p.m. |
