Messi ends his first MLS season with 11 goals in 14 games

Argentina's Lionel Messi ended his first season in US football with Inter Miami, scoring 11 goals in 14 games in all competitions and one in six MLS matches, a league in which his team finished second last in the East and out of the play-offs.

Messi started the 1-0 loss at Charlotte in the last official match for coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's side, who will now have a week's rest ahead of their exhibition tour in China.

Messi scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside. He also hit the crossbar with a direct free kick. In any case, it was his fifth consecutive MLS game without scoring. It was a period in which he was hampered by physical problems that prevented him from helping his team at a key moment in the campaign.

The Argentinian got off to the best possible start to his time at Inter Miami by winning the Leagues Cup, the first trophy in the Florida club's history, with 10 goals in seven games.

Inter Miami were also US Open Cup finalists, after eliminating Cincinnati on penalties in the semi-finals. Messi did not play in the final against Houston Dynamo due to injury.

The Argentinian made his MLS debut with a goal against the New York Red Bulls, but has not scored since. He did not score against Nashville, Los Angeles FC or Charlotte, when he played all 90 minutes, or against Cincinnati, when he had just returned from injury and played just over half an hour.

Inter Miami finished second to last in the MLS East with 34 points and only 3 points in their last 6 games. Before Messi's arrival, the team was languishing in last place.

 

October 22, 2023