With Barcelona legends, Messi takes full control of MLS 2024 in dominant fashion

Inter Miami CF has had its ups and downs since joining MLS in 2020, which could easily define a team destined for mediocrity. When the club first entered the league, fans' expectations were high-after all, having David Beckham as a co-founder symbolized ambition. However, in the early years, it just didn't go according to plan for a team that wanted to be great.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Inter Miami's Disastrous Start

During the first season, Inter Miami finished 19th with 13 losses, 35 goals conceded, and only 25 scored. The start was sour for the Herons. The season in 2021 wasn't all that different. The team fell further down the ladder, finishing 20th. While the goal tally increased to 36, they gave away 53 goals and continued compiling losses instead of wins.

For 2022, the team brought in Gonzalo Higuaín as its star forward. The Argentinean, formerly of Real Madrid, Milan, and Juventus, brought loads of experience, and indeed stood out to make a tally of 16 goals in 28 matches. Even with Higuaín, Inter Miami only managed to finish 12th with 48 points. It was an improvement, but miles from what fans expected from a club dreaming of trophies.

The Worst Moment: The 2023 Season

Undoubtedly, 2023 was the worst year. Inter Miami sank to 27th position, sustaining 18 losses. The team conceded 54 goals and only scored 41. The dream of glory in the MLS looked further and further away, with the hopes of the fans being frustrated at a fast pace. However, the saying goes-the darkest hour is always just before the dawn.

And then came the dawn in the form of four former Barcelona stars determined to change Inter Miami's fortunes.

Arrival of Legends

The season of 2024 began well for Inter Miami, as it had been remade with the arrival of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, the superstars of the beautiful game that had enjoyed massive success at Barcelona. This wasn't just an injection of talent; rather, it was a full rebirth for the team.

Experience-wise, Messi, Suarez, Alba, and Busquets brought much more to the table than just skill: They brought unparalleled experience for the best leagues in Europe. They knew the game inside and out, which became clear in how Inter Miami then restructured on the field. But not only did they give the team a new look, they elevated the confidence of every player around them.

Messi's Immediate Impact

And the biggest name in soccer, Lionel Messi, little time needed to show what he was all about. Not only does Messi lead the team in goals with 15 in 16 games, but he also leads it in assists, delivering 15 goals for his teammates even after missing some time due to injury. It did not take long to have an impact. The magic that has always followed him onto the pitch and, more importantly, a winning mentality that Inter Miami had been missing, he brought.

Messi made Inter Miami dangerous at every level of play. He's not only a finisher; he's the player who dictates the rhythm of the game, who creates chances, and above all, who makes every single player around him better. His capability for reading the game becomes a factor that will separate Inter Miami from any other team in MLS in 2024.

Luis Suárez: The Finisher

While Messi is the creative brain, Luis Suárez is the finisher. Having netted 17 in 26 games, Suárez has been proving he still is one of the deadliest forwards in the game. His instinct for finding the net has lost nothing of its zeal, the same thing that made him a legend in Barcelona and Liverpool. Suárez is relentless inside the box because he can always find ways to come out at just the right place at exactly the right time.

Undeniably, the chemistry Suárez and Messi have is one of a kind. They played together in Spain for years and directly brought that chemistry into Major League Soccer. They do not need so much time to understand each other in the field, and that can be shown game after game.

Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets: The Smart Defense

Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets' contribution may not be in goals, as were Messi and Suárez, but it is equally important. Alba bulldozes down the flank with aggression, while Busquets controls the midfield with proper vision to distribute the ball.

Busquets dictates the orchestra that is Inter Miami, knowing when to speed things up and when to slow down the tempo, all in an effort to keep Inter Miami in control of the game regardless of the opposition. As for Alba, he remains an offensive menace, ever attacking and crossing into the box in a manner that is always threatening.

Inter Miami's Rebirth

With all four of these former Barcelona legends on the pitch, Inter Miami are no longer just another also-ran in MLS. In 2024, they have morphed into one of the top contenders to lift the title at the end of the season. The Herons lead the chase for the Supporters' Shield atop the league with 65 points via 19 wins, 4 losses, and 8 draws.

Nothing short of impressive is the amount of goals scored: 69 goals so far, clear evidence that Inter Miami finally found its rhythm of offense. The 45 conceded also show that the defense, captained by Alba and Busquets, has considerably improved.

Bright Future Ahead

Inter Miami is most definitely one of the teams to watch in 2024. The arrival of the former Barca players served as the much-needed magic that propelled them from a disaster in 2023 to a title contender in just one season. And more: the team isn't just chasing the Supporters' Shield, they're also strong favorites to win the MLS Cup.

Talent, experience, and the winning mentality provided by Messi, Suárez, Alba, and Busquets have made Inter Miami an eventual powerhouse in the league. One now wonders how far this team can really go and how the rest of MLS will respond to this new force in American soccer.

What seemed like a pipe dream now has somewhat tangible form: Inter Miami are poised for dominance.