Two months away from game action did not slow or stop Lionel Messi in any way besides, well, feeling a bit tired.
Messi hurt his ankle in the Copa America Final, and it turns out that his assault on the MLS leaderboard was merely on pause.
[ MORE: 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs format, dates, teams schedule ]
Messi continues to pile up cartoonish stats this MLS season, and now he’s added a trophy as Inter Miami sealed the MLS Supporters Shield. Messi scored an absurd free kick as part of a brace in the 3-2 win at Columbus Crew.
The man who delivered five assists in a single half to set an MLS record finished the regular season with 20 goals and 10 assists in under 1500 minutes this season, scoring a hat trick off the bench in a Decision Day win at New England.
[ MORE: Messi shines in Mahomes’ home ]
The David Beckham-owned Miami are among the favorites to win it all in MLS, but are now facing a deciding third game in their first round series with Atlanta United.
What are Lionel Messi’s stats in MLS with Inter Miami?
Messi has now played less than a season’s worth of games in an Inter Miami shirt when you add his appearances across all competitions. His numbers are, in true Messi form, stunning to the eye. Messi has appeared in 35 games for Miami, scoring 30 times with 17 assists. That’s pretty good.
2024 season
MLS: 21 games, 20 goals, 11 assists
CONCACAF Champions Cup: 3 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
All competitions: 24 games, 22 goals, 13 assists
Below is everything you need for this season, including the Inter Miami 2024 schedule in full.
When did the 2024 MLS season start?
The 2024 MLS season kicked off on February 21 and the opening game was in, you guessed it, Miami.
What was Inter Miami’s first game of the 2024 MLS season?
Their first game was at home against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 21, as Inter Miami won 2-0 and Messi picked up an assist. Inter Miami are the favorites to win everything in MLS and everyone is eager to see how Tata lines up his star-studded side.
Who are Inter Miami’s biggest contenders for MLS glory?
The likes of FC Cincinnati and reigning MLS Cup champs Columbus Crew are all expected to make another deep run in the playoffs. Look out for LAFC, Colorad Rapids, LAFC, and Miami’s in-state rivals Orlando City too.
Inter Miami 2024 Schedule
All kick off times listed as ET
*CONCACAF Champions Cup match
**Leagues Cup match
Wednesday, February 21: 2-0 win vs Real Salt Lake - 1 assist for Messi
Sunday, February 25: 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy - 1 goal for Messi
Saturday, March 2: 5-0 win vs Orlando City - 2 goals for Messi, 2 g + 2 a for Suarez
*Wednesday, March 7: 2-2 draw at Nashville SC - 1 goal
Sunday, March 10: 2-3 defeat vs CF Montreal - Messi did not play
*Wednesday, March 13: 3-1 win vs Nashville SC - 1 goal, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, March 16: 3-1 win at DC United - Messi did not play
Saturday, March 23: 4-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls - Messi did not play
Saturday, March 30: 1-1 draw vs New York City FC - Messi did not play
*Wednesday, April 3: 1-2 loss vs Monterrey - Messi did not play
Saturday, April 6: 2-2 draw vs Colorado Rapids - 1 goal for Messi, sets up 2nd goal
*Wednesday, April 10: 1-3 loss at Monterrey - 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, April 13: 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City - 1 goal, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, April 20: 3-1 win vs Nashville SC - 1 goal, 2 assists for Messi
Saturday, April 27: 4-1 win at New England Revolution - 2 goals, 1 assist for Messi
Saturday, May 4: 6-2 win vs New York Red Bulls - 1 goal, 5 assists for Messi
Saturday, May 11: 3-2 win at CF Montreal - Messi played 90 minutes
Wednesday, May 15: 0-0 draw at Orlando City - Messi did not play
Saturday, May 18: 1-0 win vs DC United - Messi played 90 minutes
Saturday, May 25: 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps - Messi did not play
Wednesday, May 29: 3-1 defeat vs Atlanta United - 1 goal
Saturday, June 1: 3-3 draw vs St. Louis City SC - 1 goal
Saturday, September 14: 3-1 win at Philadelphia Union - 2 goals, 1 assist for Messi
Wednesday, September 18: 2-2 draw at Atlanta United - Messi played 29 minutes
Saturday, September 21: 1-1 draw at New York City FC - Messi played 90 minutes
Saturday, September 28: 1-1 draw vs Charlotte FC - 1 goal
Wednesday, October 2: 3-2 win at Columbus Crew - 2 goals
Saturday, October 5: 1-0 win at Toronto FC - Messi played 29 minutes
Saturday, October 19: 6-2 win at New England Revolution - Messi played 32 minutes, scored 3 goals
Messi did not feature for Inter Miami in these games due to Copa America with Argentina (which he won) and recovering from injury
Saturday, June 15: 2-1 win at Philadelphia Union
Wednesday, June 19: 2-1 win vs Columbus Crew
Saturday, June 29: 2-1 win at Nashville SC
Wednesday, July 3: 2-1 win at Charlotte FC
Saturday, July 6: 6-1 defeat at FC Cincinnati
Wednesday, July 17: 3-1 win vs Toronto FC
Saturday, July 20: 2-1 win vs Chicago Fire
**Saturday, July 27: 2-0 win at Puebla
**Saturday, August 4: 2-1 defeat at Tigres
**Thursday, August 8: 4-3 win vs Toronto FC
**Tuesday, August 13: 3-2 defeat at Columbus Crew
Saturday, August 24: 2-0 win vs FC Cincinnati
Saturday, August 31: 4-1 win at Chicago Fire
Next up
MLS Cup Playoffs first round
First legs
Friday, Oct. 25: Inter Miami 2-1 Atlanta United - 90 minutes, 1 assist
Second legs
Saturday, Nov. 2: Atlanta United 2-1 Inter Miami - 90 minutes
Third leg
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United — 8pm ET Saturday Nov. 9
