The incredible MLS table since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami

Ben Stewart • 03 Mar 2024

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in July last year when the side were rooted to the bottom of MLS. Since his arrival, their turnaround in form has been nothing short of spectacular.

Prior to Messi joining the club, Inter Miami had only picked up 18 points from the 63 that were on offer. The club was struggling to find the back of the net and their defensive record was among the worst in the league.

Given the brilliance of the Argentine forward, it didn’t take him long to have an impact in his new surroundings. Along with lifting their fortunes in the league, Inter Miami also managed to get their hands on some silverware.

With Messi playing a starring role, Gerardo Martino’s side were able to win the Leagues Cup and they came agonisingly close to lifting the U.S. Open Cup too.

In regards to their league form, things have picked up tremendously since Messi’s arrival in July last year. Since he arrived at the club, only three Eastern Conference sides have accumulated more points than Inter Miami.

Orlando City have picked up more points than any other Eastern Conference side since Messi arrived and Inter Miami made light work of them over the weekend with a 4-0 triumph.

To contextualise their superb form of late, Inter Miami have averaged 1.44 points per game since Messi’s arrival. Prior to him joining, they were only averaging 0.86 points per game.

The club are also scoring goals at a far greater rate and their defensive record has seen a vast improvement too. It’s still early days, but Martino’s side currently sit top of the MLS Eastern Conference with seven points from their first three matches of 2024.

Messi himself is averaging a goal in MLS every 90 minutes this season and if he’s able to maintain that sort of consistency, the club should easily have enough firepower to make the playoffs this season.

Of course, Inter Miami’s superb turnaround in form isn’t solely down to Messi. The 36-year-old has also been greatly helped by the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.

With a core of former Barcelona stars at his disposal, Martino’s side look like a force to be reckoned with in MLS this year. We wouldn’t be surprised if they are able to go all the way.

This is what the MLS Eastern Conference looks like since Messi joined Inter Miami last season.

Note: all clubs have played 14 matches unless otherwise stated.

1. Orlando City – 30 points, +6 GD
2. Columbus Crew – 25 points, +9 GD
3. FC Cincinnati – 25 points, +7 GD
4. Inter Miami CF – 23 points, +5 GD (played 16)
5. Charlotte FC – 21 points, +2 GD
6. New York Red Bulls – 21 points, 0 GD
7. Philadelphia Union – 20 points, +4 GD
8. CF Montreal – 19 points, -3 GD
9. Atlanta United – 16 points, +8 GD (played 12)
10. New England Revolution – 15 points, 0 GD (played 13)
11. New York City FC – 15 points, -3 GD (played 13)
12. DC United – 14 points, -4 GD (played 13)
13. Nashville SC – 13 points, -4 GD (played 13)
14. Chicago Fire FC – 12 points, -12 GD
15. Toronto FC – 4 points, -19 GD (played 12)

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name the top 30 goalscorers in Major League Soccer history?

Inter Miami Lionel Messi MLS