Lionel Messi had a spectacular start at Inter Miami. However, with time, injuries and health issues prevented the Argentine superstar from finishing the season on a high note.
In the summer of 2023, Messi joined Inter Miami as a free agent after his contract with PSG expired. At 36 and having won numerous titles, especially the World Cup with the Argentine national team, Messi was expected to enjoy his time in the United States. However, La Pulga proved that his move to Inter Miami was serious, and his hunger for success remained intact.
From the start, Messi had a remarkable impact on Inter Miami, transforming the club from underdog to challenger. His extraordinary journey with Inter Miami began in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup, where he consistently scored to help his team advance through the group stage, round of 16, and quarter-finals. The Argentine superstar’s performance soared as he played, scoring crucial goals or providing assists to lead Inter Miami to the final.
In the final match against Nashville, Messi scored again and successfully converted the first penalty in a nerve-wracking shootout, securing the first title for David Beckham’s club. Messi’s achievements changed the entire history of Inter Miami, making them a formidable team, not only in the United States but also on a global scale. Inter Miami became feared, making other teams eager to beat them.
Inter Miami’s resounding success in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup made fans dream of a triumphant end for Messi. They hoped that the 36-year-old goal scorer could continue to work his magic, helping Inter Miami win the US Open Cup and securing a spot in the MLS playoffs. Unfortunately, this dream scenario never became a reality, and it was due to Messi’s health issues.
Continuous challenges with high-intensity matches in a short period exhausted Messi. He suffered an injury while on duty with the Argentine national team during the September World Cup 2026 South American qualifiers. As a result, Messi missed the US Open Cup final, helplessly watching Inter Miami lose 1-2 to Houston Dynamo. Afterward, Messi continued to sit out essential matches for Inter Miami in MLS, and the team, once a powerhouse, began to struggle.
In the season’s final match against Charlotte in MLS, Messi played but still saw his team lose 0-1, bringing an uneventful end to the 2023 season. In retrospect, Messi’s season with Inter Miami faded over time. La Pulga scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for Inter Miami across all competitions, an impressive personal record for the former Barcelona and PSG forward.
Messi remained outstanding as usual, but one regrettable aspect everyone noticed about this superstar was his visibly declining health. Messi encountered frequent problems and became more injury-prone. Given recent events in Messi’s career, fans have reasons to worry. Their concern isn’t about how many more titles Messi can win with Inter Miami but how much longer they can watch M10 grace the football field.
Messi will have a sufficient break to recover and prepare for the new season with Inter Miami next year. However, before considering the next journey with the American club, the Argentine superstar should focus on maintaining a balanced lifestyle and preparing for the 8th Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 31.
