MLS

Instant impact — We compared Inter Miami's record before and after Lionel Messi’s arrival

Lionel Messi’s arrival to Inter Miami has been nothing short of a miraculous turnaround for the Fort Lauderdale club and since making his first appearance for The Herons, the Argentine has led them to a blissful stream of victories and celebrations.

Since being unveiled as a Miami player back in July, Messi has played a total of 10 games for the club, making appearances in the Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and MLS. He scored a goal in each of his first nine matches and lifted one trophy.

Watching Messi's latest goal in slow motion is the most satisfying thing ever

Lionel Messi entered as a substitute in the 60th minute and scored his first MLS goal in spectacular fashion in the 89th to seal Inter Miami's 2-0 win over the host New York Red Bulls in front of a raucous crowd in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday night. And, boy, was this Messi MLS debut goal a doozy.

Lionel Messi set to make his MLS debut in New York on Saturday vs. Red Bulls

Ticket prices are soaring in Harrison, N.J., and not because the New York Red Bulls are inching closer in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

With Lionel Messi on the other side of the pitch for his anticipated MLS regular-season debut with Inter Miami, the host Red Bulls are out to keep their focus and improve their place in the standings Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Messi won a club-record 34 trophies for Barcelona in Spain's LaLiga, and already has a Leagues Cup title with Inter Miami, though it is possible that the 36-year-old could enter as a substitute Saturday.

Lionel Messi provides ridiculous 97th minute game-tying assist – Inter Miami advance on penalties

For the first time since his arrival to Miami Lionel Messi failed to score in a game when the Herons defeated FC Cincinnati 5-4 on penalties (3-3 after extra time) in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at TQL Stadium on Wednesday.

Messi made up for it with two assists including a perfect ball to Leonardo Campana in the 97th minute to send the game to extra time.

Messi assist vs Cincinnati

Lionel Messi torches Walker Zimmerman to score golazo — Inter Miami win Leagues Cup in shootout

Lionel Messi did it again Saturday night with a spectacular goal vs. Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final as Inter Miami won 10-9 on penalty kicks after drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes.

United States men’s national team fans could only watch on in horror as our beautiful defensive prince Walker Zimmerman was torn to shreds along with the rest of the Nashville defense in the 23rd minute.

Up until that point Nashville had nullified the Messi effect. The Argentine had touched the ball only a handful of times and had no impact on the game yet.

Lionel Messi says winning Leagues Cup final with Miami would be ‘incredible’

Lionel Messi has won just about everything there is to win in soccer but said on Thursday that bringing Inter Miami their first ever trophy would be "incredible" and "a beautiful thing".

Languishing at the bottom of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference standings there had been nothing pretty about Inter Miami's season until Messi's arrival in South Florida last month.

But now things could not look any brighter.

Inter Miami hired bodyguard for Lionel Messi that always follows him even during games

The best defender in Major League Soccer isn’t one of the players, it’s the Lionel Messi bodyguard. If you want to see some of the best defense in your life, then you got to see this guy in action.

Messi is the biggest and most famous athlete playing in the United States and has already had a massive impact on MLS numbers and ticket prices. Inter Miami wisely hired a personal bodyguard for Messi.

Lionel Messi lets fly from 36 yards out as Inter Miami stun Philadelphia 4-1 at Subaru Park

Inter Miami, the worst team in the MLS standings, put on another dominant Leagues Cup performance on Tuesday with Lionel Messi scoring again as the Herons secured a 4-1 victory against giants Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.

The victory sees Inter Miami advance to the Leagues Cup final vs. the winner of Nashville/Monterrey on Saturday, Aug. 19. If Monterrey wins then Miami will host the final, if Nashville win, they will host the final.

The Magic Messi effect on MLS: How he's changing the game in America

Lionel Messi's transfer to Inter Miami has set MLS on a path to the stars. Literally. And the Magic Messi effect on MLS is just getting started.

Lionel Messi is "fine" after injury scare during training

Lionel Messi appeared to tweak his left ankle during a training session Monday, but the Inter Miami standout is not expected to miss Tuesday's League Cup semifinal on the road against the Philadelphia Union.

Video from ESPN's Spanish-language affiliate showed Messi as he appeared to roll his left ankle in a close-quarters passing drill. He stepped gingerly on his left foot for a few moments but returned to the drill.

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