Lionel Messi’s stunning 2024: Inside his impact at Inter Miami and MLS | OneFootball

Lionel Messi, the great name in world soccer, lived an atypical yet highly influential 2024 season. Playing fewer games than in his glory years in Europe, the Argentine star proved his influence goes far beyond stats. Wearing the jersey of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) Messi has drawn worldwide attention to the league, setting new standards for soccer in the United States.

Messi and Inter Miami: A Look at 2024

Lionel Messi played 25 official matches for Inter Miami in 2024, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists. These numbers keep him as the second highest scorer of the team while making him very important in cementing a solid identity within the MLS club. Since his arrival, he's brought unprecedented attention to the league, expanding its global reach and boosting its audience.

Even with no remaining matches this year, Messi is much more than the numbers he can leave. He was instrumental in Inter Miami clinching the Supporters' Shield, a major accomplishment for the young Herons. Beyond that, his presence elevated the team's profile internationally and further cemented MLS on the global soccer stage.

2024: A Year for the History Books

The closest anyone would have to find such a scarce number of club matches played by Messi would be going some nearly two decades back to the 2005/06 season, when he managed only 25 games in the Barcelona jersey. In 2024, the story was very different. Messi navigated a rare schedule and unique set of challenges as he adapted to the distinct format MLS presents while balancing his commitment to the Argentine national team. Yet, his performance remained top-notch.

In all, Messi played 33 official matches in 2024, combining his appearances for Inter Miami and Argentina. Compared to 2023—when he played 36 games across PSG and Inter Miami—his numbers are a bit lower, but his value goes well beyond volume; he delivered in the most critical moments, like the triumph of Argentina in the Copa América, further cementing his legacy.

Messi and the Argentine National Team

Messi once again showed consistency and leadership for Argentina, as he played in 10 of the team's 15 games in 2024 and netted six goals to help keep the competitive edge intact. At the present time, with 191 international caps and an astonishing 112 goals, Messi proves he's one of the best players to ever wear the Albiceleste jersey.

With Argentina’s schedule clear until 2025, Messi can now fully focus on Inter Miami’s preseason and the challenges ahead.

Looking Ahead to 2025: MLS and the Club World Cup

Messi will come back onto the field in February 2025 against Orlando City in a friendly. This game will kick-start what looks to be an exciting season, especially with Inter Miami likely to be part of the Club World Cup. As Messi stated himself, the preseason will be crucial to the objectives of the team.

Besides chasing titles, the presence of Messi has kept on growing the league. Since his arrival, he has attracted millions of new fans towards the league and made it a hub in the world of soccer. As high as expectations are for 2025, there is surely hope that Messi will deepen his bond with the fans and elevate the competitive level of the league even more.

Lionel Messi: More Than a Player, a Phenomenon in MLS

Messi is not just a player for Inter Miami; he represents a new era for MLS. Since his arrival to the U.S., the Argentinian superstar broke barriers and redefined expectations, bringing attention to the league never seen before. Even in a year with fewer games, the cultural and sporting impact of the man is immeasurable.

To Inter Miami, Messi is the biggest name in the club's history and the anchor for a strategy to make the franchise a sports powerhouse. To MLS, his presence epitomizes the league's growth and its pull on the world's best talent.

Why Messi and MLS Matter

The partnership between Messi and MLS would serve all parties. For the player, new challenges are opened to him in order to leave his mark in unexplored territory. For the league, it's a chance to seal their global standing by attracting top talent and investment.

With Messi in the mix, Inter Miami is one of the most spoken-about teams in the world. The buzz strengthens the club's brand while ramping up MLS's relevance as a league that can compete with giants in Europe and South America.

Lionel Messi wraps up 2024 with fewer matches but a bigger impact than any statistic could capture. He helped Inter Miami not only secure titles and stand out in MLS but also opened a new chapter for soccer in the U.S.

The eyes will be on Messi, come 2025, as he leads his team and the league forward. His legacy has just started to get underway at Inter Miami, and the soccer world is waiting with bated breath to see what is next for this living legend that continues to redefine the game and fan across the world.