On July 16, Lionel Messi gave a kind of mission statement to the Inter Miami supporters.
“I come here with the same desire to win, to compete, and to support the club’s ongoing growth,” he declared.
That promise has undoubtedly been fulfilled in the wake of Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar, when he was voted the tournament’s player of the tournament at the ripe age of 35.
Since Messi’s arrival in Miami five and a half months ago, the team has outperformed many of its American sports counterparts on social media, won its first silverware, and lured celebrities like LeBron James and Kim Kardashian to the Fort Lauderdale location.
There have also been happier times, such as the time the Argentine and his family went to Publix, the heavily photographed grocery, either not realizing the attention they would receive or not caring at all.
Lionel Messi was welcomed to Inter Miami with a massive ceremony on July 16
Messi was spotted at checkout at US supermarket chain Publix in Miami over the summer
The Argentine helped Miami lift its first trophy as the Herons beat Nashville in the Leagues Cup
Even while we’ll never know what Messi prefers on his “Pub Sub,” we did learn what an eight-time Ballon d’Or champion in America looks like.
In the Leagues Cup, he made his debut coming off the bench against Cruz Azul, scoring the game-winning free kick that would have won any movie. His team won 2-1.
David Beckham, a co-owner who has experienced many late goals from free kicks, was nearly moved to tears. Messi took about forty minutes to realize the ideal he and club owner Jorge Mas had envisioned for the team.
These kinds of situations persisted in the League Cup, which Miami ultimately won thanks to the play of Messi, Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the team’s new big three.
The Argentine acclimated to American football quite well; there were two volleys against Orlando City, another exquisite free kick against FC Dallas, and a screaming goal against Nashville in the championship game. Were we really supposed to be shocked?
If Messi’s first half-season in Miami taught us anything new, it was the identities of his teammates, who were previously unknown to us.
Former English non-league player Robert Taylor, who was Messi’s running partner up front, had a purple patch of form during the League Cup (four goals, three assists).
Additionally, a huge platform was given to the impressive talents of 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi, an Argentine-American local youth who is living out his goal in real time. September marked his USA national team debut.
Even off the pitch, Messi has a way of making everyone around him feel better.
Miami co-owner David Beckham was left close to tears after Messi ‘s stoppage time winner
LeBron James was in the audience for Lionel Messi’s debut for Inter Miami in July
Apart from his outstanding performance, the most significant indicator of the ‘Messi Effect’ could be Miami’s surge in followers on social media, surpassing all NFL, MLB, NHL, and other MLS teams in the first 24 hours following his announcement of moving to South Florida.
With 15.4 million Instagram followers as of right now, the team dwarfs teams like the New York Yankees (3.3 million) and Boston Celtics (7.7 million).
Miami’s failure to qualify for the playoffs was mostly due to Messi’s injury and the team’s last-place finish prior to his arrival.
The following weeks, however, continued to act as a constant reminder of Messi’s immense talent and legendary status.
After traveling to Paris with his family in late October to collect his eighth Ballon d’Or, Miami held a “Noche d’Or” friendly against NYCFC to commemorate the occasion.
It was not shocking at all that Messi won the prize after leading Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986. However, Miami used the opportunity to assess its position in the football globe.
Robert Taylor enjoyed a purple patch over the summer and saw his profile boosted by Messi
Antonela Roccuzzo and Messi with sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro attend the 67th Ballon d’Or
Messi led Argentina to a World Cup title in Qatar, as they defeated France on penalties
Messi holds the Ballon d’Or – his eighth – after beating the competition at ceremony in Paris
South Florida is home to the greatest player in the world, which has undoubtedly created some opportunities.
The team will now go to Hong Kong prior to the upcoming season, where they will play Al-Nassr, the team that Cristiano Ronaldo plays for, and Al-Hilal.
Messi’s performance in those games, or even the amount of minutes he plays, is irrelevant. What counts is that, all owing to their small playmaker, the Herons have become a global brand unlike any other MLS competition.
That won’t be changing anytime soon, with the No. 10 wearing Miami’s signature pink for at least two more seasons.
We will soon find out if he can lead his team to the top of the MLS after winning a World Cup, ten La Liga crowns, and a Leagues Cup.