Who Is Lionel Messi to MLS?

Lionel Messi changed the course of MLS history when he signed with Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. He could have gone to Saudi Arabia for a huge payday. He could have returned to Barcelona. Instead, he chose America. He brought an international spotlight to a league that had long desired worldwide recognition. When he stepped onto the pitch for a Leagues Cup match (not even an official MLS game) and dominated the play, everyone knew he wasn’t just another aged star.

Goal #1 to #50: The Journey in Review

Messi’s first goal for Inter Miami came from a free kick against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, moments after entering the match. That strike set the tone for what followed: 50 goals across competitions by June 2025.

In the Leagues Cup alone, he scored 10 goals in seven matches, including a long-range effort against Philadelphia Union and the matchwinner in the final against Nashville SC.

His goals came in all formats: MLS regular season, playoffs, Leagues Cup, and the Club World Cup. One of the most symbolic came in a 2-1 win over Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup, giving Inter Miami the first competitive win by an MLS side over a UEFA opponent.

Messi’s Free Kicks: Turning Set Pieces Into Goals

Free kicks near the box always bring hope. With Messi, they bring near-certainty. On June 24, 2025, he hit his 50th Inter Miami goal with a curling free kick against Porto — a signature strike that felt more like a penalty.

Messi has scored 68 free kicks across his career. Of those, five have come for Inter Miami. His preferred area is just outside the box, slightly right of center. He bends them. Often, even the most skilled goalkeepers struggle to reach the upper-right ninety. It’s the form, the placement, and, most of all, the dependability and consistency that differentiate him from the pack.

In fact, despite Messi’s lower number of free kicks at PSG, Lionel Messi stands out as a superior free kick specialist. He still makes dead balls feel alive.

Season-by-Season Breakdown (2023–2025)

2023

• Debuted in Leagues Cup
• Scored 10 goals in 7 matches
• Won the Leagues Cup

2024

• Struggled with fitness early on
• Tallied 25 combined goals and assists in 18 games
• Finished with 38 goal contributions in 22 matches
• Won MLS MVP despite playing just over half the available minutes
• Inter Miami won Supporters’ Shield with 74 points
• Exited playoffs in first round to Atlanta United

2025 (so far)

• Reached 50 goals milestone
• Inter Miami currently 6th in East, 10th overall
• 17 goal contributions in 1,115 minutes

The Stats Behind the Magic: Messi by the Numbers

• 866 career goals
• 112 for Argentina, 50 for Inter Miami
• 672 for Barcelona, 32 for PSG
• 59 hat-tricks, including one for Inter Miami
• Most goals in Europe’s Big Five leagues: 496
• 39 free kicks in top-five European leagues since 2010–11 (most all-time)
• 91 goals in a calendar year (2012)

How Messi’s Game Has Evolved in Miami

Age has changed Messi’s game. He no longer relies on bursts of speed or tight dribbling runs. nstead, he’s known to control flow, connect passes and maintain area in ways that few ever do.

IIn addition, he’ll have to acclimate to USA travel issues, tougher pitches and inconsistent refereeing. While his new roster in Miami has a few familiar faces from Barcelona, the lopsided roster—especially on defense—means Messi has to do more than just work on the attacking end.

He’s playing smarter, not harder. And still, he’s dominating.

What’s Next for Messi and Inter Miami?

Messi’s contract links him to the team through 2025 without a guarantee for the future thereafter. Could he return to Argentina to finish his career? Or will he shift into a part-owner, part-ambassador role for MLS?

For now, he’s still in the MVP race and will try to lift Miami higher in the table. The win against Porto shows it can still compete internationally. But older stars like Suárez, Busquets and Alba risk declining and complicating their game, thus, depth is needed to stay competitive.

Messi remains the difference. Every time he steps on the pitch, history feels close.