There is not much that Lionel Messi can not do. Fans of world soccer will already know what he can do on the pitch, with the player arguably one of the greatest to have ever played the game. His crowing achievement came last winter as he helped Argentina to capture the one trophy that had eluded him throughout his career to that point: the FIFA World Cup.
Of course, fans in the MLS (and Inter Miami) are now able to experience what the Argentine maestro is able to do on the feet, with the Messi effect already in full swing.
Messi has had an incredible impact on Inter Miami already While many had expected Messi’s move to Inter Miami to be an astounding success in terms of commercial interests and marketability, there may not have been as many who would have been backing him to have an incredible impact on the pitch, too.
Billions of dollars across various aspects of the American soccer scene were expected to be generated, with economists and football financial experts predicting that the club would become worth more than $1 billion in terms of its value. The MLS has also managed to benefit because of his arrival, as more eyes are on the product being offered, with more subscriptions having been bought through Apple TV while tickets and merchandise sales have increased.
On the pitch, Messi continues to dominate. Despite being yet to play an MLS match for his new team, his performances in the Leagues Cup has seen bookmakers reduce the team’s odds of winning the 2023 MLS Cup.
Although they are bottom of the Eastern Conference, the latest MLS odds for Inter Miami have shrunk an incredible amount since his arrival. They are now included among the main favorites to win the MLS outright, with only FC Cincinnati believed to be edging them at the moment. Naturally, many consider this a valuable price, as teams only need to finish in the top eight of their conference to qualify for the postseason, which operates as a knockout stage.
Why has Inter Miami become one of the favorites?
While it remains to be seen just how well former Barcelona’s star handles playing an MLS match as he is yet to make his bow in the league, if his performances in the Leagues Cup is anything to go by, there does not appear to be too much to really worry about.
He appeared in all seven of the matches that were played on their route to winning the competition that sees MLS and Liga MX (Mexico) clubs compete against each other, scoring in each of those games. He ended with a record of 10 goals across those games, ending as the competition’s top goalscorer by some distance. He also showed no signs of slowing down, as he was crowned the best player.
If he can take that form into the remainder of the 2023 MLS season, Inter Miami could be looking at what was once an unlikely playoff berth. Fans could even have a strong belief that they would be able to win their first MLS Cup if they were to qualify for the postseason. Hence why sportsbooks have drastically reduced the odds that are made available for the club at this moment, despite their position in the Eastern Conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=savnojW9Or0
Will the Messi effect be felt in the MLS?
Trying to predict what happens on a soccer field and what might happen during the remainder of a season can be something that many find difficult to do, even if superstars like Messi feature for one club.
However, it would not be a surprise to see the Argentine have an influential impact on the club in the final stages of the 2023 campaign. His presence will have been inspiring enough for the players in the locker room, but his performances in the Leagues Cup suggest that he has more than enough to make a difference on the field in the MLS.
Inter Miami played against six MLS sides in the competition across the seven games played, and Messi scored nine goals in those. That would suggest that, if he stays fit, he will be incredibly influential on the pitch, as he is cleary too hot to handle for the MLS at this moment!
