Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, has been making waves in Major League Soccer (MLS) since joining Inter Miami. The 36-year-old forward has been in impressive form, helping his team secure a 4-1 victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday.
In front of a record crowd of 65,612 fans at Gillette Stadium, Messi showcased his exceptional skills, scoring two goals and setting two MLS records. He now has the most goal contributions (16) by any player in the first seven matches of a season and is the first player to make multiple goal contributions in five consecutive matches.
Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has experienced a remarkable turnaround. The team currently sits atop the MLS Eastern Conference after an excellent start to the season, with six victories in 11 games. Messi’s impact has been undeniable, as he leads the league in goals scored (9) and assists (7).
Despite the New England Revolution taking an early lead through Tomás Chancalay, Messi’s goals in the 32nd and 68th minutes put Miami in command. Benjamin Cremaschi extended the lead in the 83rd minute, and Messi turned provider, setting up Luis Suárez for a late goal.
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino acknowledged the impact of Messi’s presence on the team and their opponents. “People come to every stadium to see Leo; that’s true, but they also want their team to win,” Martino said. “We’re motivated by the atmosphere we always find where we play, and this also incentivizes the opponents a lot.”
Messi’s arrival has generated excitement among fans, with record-breaking crowds attending matches to witness the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in action.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has played a significant role in the team’s success. He helped the club win its first trophy last August and has been instrumental in their rise to the top of the Eastern Conference standings this season.
As Lionel Messi continues to showcase his extraordinary talent in the MLS, fans can expect more thrilling performances and record-breaking achievements from the Argentine legend.
The information is taken from CNN, AOL, and Yahoo.