Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back in Leagues Cup action, facing Charlotte FC in the quarter-final
(Photo: Getty Images)
Messi and Miami fever gripping the U.S.
It is hard to remember a moment in U.S. soccer that caused anywhere near as much fanfare as Messi’s arrival, especially when it was compounded by the subsequent arrivals of Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Tickets have been like gold dust for Miami’s matches and the interest in the MLS’ bottom club was highlighted by how many Miami and Argentina shirts could be seen in the home stands at Toyota Stadium on Sunday – as pictured.
If only more than 21,000 people could fit inside DRV PNK Stadium!
Messi’s even more impressive free-kick taking
For many soccer fans, Messi is the greatest player that has ever played the game.
His passing, dribbling and shooting is as good as anyone’s who went before him and his status as the greatest free-kick taker is certainly worth debating.
Inter Miami can testify to that having only seen him in action for their club four times. Two of his seven goals since moving have been free-kicks and both have come in clutch moments.
His first was a 94th-minute winner against Cruz Azul and his second was an 85th-minute equaliser against FC Dallas.
Liam Tharme and Matt Pyzdrowski looked into why his set pieces have been so devastating across the course of his career — check it out below.
GO FURTHER
Lionel Messi has turned taking free kicks into an art form — this is how
Messi’s impressive goalscoring record
Messi continues to inspire Inter Miami to victories that would have been scarcely believable prior to his arrival.
In four games — and just 294 minutes of time on the pitch — the World Cup-winning captain has scored seven goals and added one assist.
In each of the last three games, he has scored a brace and, although it does not add to his official tally, he also converted his penalty in the shootout win against FC Dallas last time out.
The dream start continues
Messi could hardly have dreamed for a better start to life at Inter Miami.
They are yet to lose since he joined the club and a penalty shootout victory against FC Dallas in the last round made it four victories from four.
The instant impact on the squad is clear for all to see but, given he and Sergio Busquets joined the team rock bottom of the MLS, the achievement to help them into a quarter-final should not be understated.
Hello and welcome
Hello and welcome to The Athletic’s live coverage of Lionel Messi’s fifth game for Inter Miami; the Leagues Cup quarter-final visit of Charlotte FC.
We will have the build up, live updates from DRV PNK Stadium as they happen and all the post-match reaction on another huge night for U.S. soccer.
