As the new Major League Soccer season kicks off in North America, all eyes are on Lionel Messi. The Argentinean captain, who led his country to a World Cup victory, made a significant impact when he joined David Beckham's Inter Miami club midway through the previous US football season. Messi's arrival instantly yielded positive outcomes for the team.
After enduring a streak of 10 winless games, the club finally achieved victory in the first match Lionel Messi played. To add to the excitement, Messi, a record-breaking eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, also led the team to their first trophy, the Leagues Cup. Alongside his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Messi has had a transformative impact on the team within a matter of months. As Messi enters his first full campaign with the club in its fourth year of existence, Miami is now setting its sights on the ultimate prize: winning the first MLS Cup. The 29-team championship begins on February 22, with Miami hosting Salt Lake City at the DRK PNV Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.