How Messi Transformed Inter Miami into the Most Feared Team in MLS

Inter Miami made history, and it doesn't even feel like it was just yesterday that the club was trying to find its footing in MLS. What went down in 2024 was nothing short of surreal. They broke the record for the most points in a regular MLS season, racking up 74 points, surpassing the 2021 New England Revolution, who had 73. Seriously, when this team decided to win, nobody could stop them.

Before you think everything was smooth sailing, let’s be real: this season was an emotional roller coaster. The start was shaky, and not even Messi, with all his brilliance, seemed able to guarantee the team would take off. But they didn’t just turn it around; they left their rivals in the dust.

This transformation didn’t happen overnight. Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba basically recreated FC Barcelona in Miami. But it wasn’t just the old guard that made a difference. Young guns like Diego Gómez, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Tomás Avilés also stepped up big time and were key to this epic turnaround.

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Messi and the Winning DNA

Messi is the man. There’s no other way to put it. At 37, the Argentine showed, once again, that he’s unlike anyone else. And it wasn’t just about the numbers, though 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 games are insane. It was about the leadership and the contagious energy he brings to his teammates. What we saw in the 6-2 win against the New England Revolution was pure Messi magic. He came off the bench, scored three goals, and handed out an assist. If that’s not what defines an MVP player, I don’t know what does.

But we can’t forget about Suárez. The Uruguayan deserves a statue in Miami too. With two goals and two assists in that same game, he reached 20 goals for the season, being the ultimate partner-in-crime for Messi. While everyone was talking about retirement for these two, they just tossed the script out the window and wrote their own, becoming the nightmare of every defense they faced.

Owning Home Games and Chasing Glory in the Playoffs

Now, with the Supporters' Shield in hand and the MLS record shattered, Inter Miami's eyes are set on the big prize: the MLS Cup. By securing the top spot, the team guaranteed home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the MLS Cup final—if they make it.

It’s no secret that playing at home gives them a huge edge, especially with a fan base as fired up as Inter Miami’s. The team’s been undefeated at home for several matches now, and with Messi and Suárez in top form, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping them.

The Pressure of Stardom

But, as the saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." Yep, Messi, Suárez, and the rest of the crew are taking Inter Miami to heights few American teams have ever reached. But what happens next? All this excitement comes with a hefty price: sky-high expectations and the pressure to keep delivering year after year. Not to mention the massive financial impact of keeping a squad with so many stars.

For now, it’s all good. The excitement’s at an all-time high, and the team is soaring. But how sustainable is this? The astronomical salaries of these stars aren’t small potatoes, and while MLS is growing, it’s still not anywhere near the financial level of European leagues. But as long as Messi’s dazzling Americans with his magic, nobody’s really thinking about that.

Beckham’s Legacy

Another key player in this whole story is David Beckham. The former English star, now co-owner of Inter Miami, always had a clear vision of making the club something historic. And he pulled it off. Beckham brought in Messi, Suárez, and other big names not just to win games but to elevate soccer in the U.S. to a whole new level.

Inter Miami’s success goes beyond just breaking records. It’s the symbol that soccer is finally becoming a giant in the United States. With its growing popularity, a young audience more and more engaged, and the arrival of international stars, the future of soccer in this country has never looked brighter.

And now, with Messi wearing the cape of the league’s "savior," the sky seems to be the limit. If in previous years, big stars avoided playing in MLS, things have changed now. Messi’s arrival may have been the turning point, and what we’ll see in the coming years could be the beginning of a golden era for American soccer.