- Left Barcelona in summer of 2021
- Spent two seasons with French giants
- Is now chasing American dream in Florida
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine icon completed a stunning move to the United States in the summer of 2023. He helped to inspire a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in Florida, with a testing spell in Paris being put to the back of his mind.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi has become a talismanic presence for Inter Miami, with the current campaign seeing him generate MVP talk after breaking into double figures for goals and assists. His latest strike came against Atlanta United, but was unable to see the Herons to another win as they went down 3-1 on home soil.
DID YOU KNOW?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has never been invincible, despite appearing to be so at times, but he is accustomed to emerging victorious when hitting the back of the net. He never suffered defeat when scoring for Paris Saint-Germain, and had preserved that record after linking up with Inter Miami.
TELL ME MORE
Their setback against Atlanta, after seeing their captain find the target, represents an unwanted first for Messi in the U.S. You have to turn the clock all the way back to May 16, 2021 and Barcelona’s 2-1 reversal against Celta Vigo to find the last time that Messi scored and lost at club level.
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
He has suffered that fate with Argentina, in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup against Saudi Arabia, but went on claim a global crown in Qatar and has his sights set on more major honours in 2024 – including a Copa America title defence and pursuit of MLS Cup glory.
