Miami’s Unexpected Success Without Argentinian Legend Messi

Despite Argentina’s Lionel Messi missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, Inter Miami has survived and thrived. The team’s success highlights its depth, resilience, and the enduring influence of the Argentine superstar, on and off the field.

Heading into the 2024 season, few could have imagined Inter Miami would achieve such remarkable success without Argentinian star Lionel Messi on the pitch for much of the campaign. The prospect of Messi missing 18 of the first 33 games would have likely caused fan panic and concern among club executives, who feared dwindling crowds and a dip in performance without their superstar. After all, Messi is not just any player—he’s an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, the reigning World Cup champion, and arguably the greatest player of all time.

Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in the previous season turned the club into a spectacle, with stadiums packed and fans eager to witness his brilliance. The team’s fortunes seemed inextricably linked to Messi’s presence. However, as the 2024 season progressed, Inter Miami demonstrated that it could survive and excel without Messi, proving that the team’s depth and resilience are just as vital as the Argentine icon’s influence.

Messi’s Impact Beyond the Field

Lionel Messi’s influence on Inter Miami extends far beyond his on-field performances. Messi looms large over the team even when sidelined with an ankle injury. His impact is felt in every corner of the club—from ticket sales to player morale. Despite his absence, Inter Miami has managed to draw sizable crowds and maintain its position at the top of Major League Soccer (MLS), a testament to the strength and determination of the entire squad.

As of this weekend, Inter Miami boasts the best record in MLS, having secured a playoff spot with eight games to spare. This is a significant turnaround from last season when the team finished 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. Much of this success can be attributed to the contributions of other key players, including Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, who has stepped up in Messi’s absence. Suarez’s two goals in the first six minutes of a recent match against FC Cincinnati delighted the 20,106 fans at Chase Stadium, including NFL legend Tom Brady.

The Stats: With and Without Messi

Inter Miami’s record with and without Messi this year is surprisingly close. Across all competitions, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, the team has a winning percentage of .600 with Messi and .555 without him. While opponents might fear a Messi-led Miami more, the team’s performance without him has been impressive. Messi’s absence has allowed other players to shine, and they have risen to the occasion, keeping the team’s momentum going.

Between June 15 and July 27, while Messi was away with the Argentine national team at Copa America and later sidelined by injury, his teammates won seven of eight games. They scored 16 goals during that stretch, just shy of the 2.67 goals per game they have averaged with Messi on the field. Throughout the year, Miami’s scoring average without Messi stands at 1.77 goals per game—a respectable figure highlighting the team’s ability to find the back of the net even without their star player.

Maintaining Popularity and Attendance

Despite Messi’s absence, Inter Miami has continued to draw large crowds at home and on the road. The initial buzz surrounding Messi’s arrival may have waned. Still, his jersey remains the hottest seller in the league, and ticket sales at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and around the country have remained strong. Inter Miami was the most in-demand team on StubHub heading into the 2024 MLS season, appearing in the top 25 best-selling games.

The team’s success in attracting crowds is not just due to Messi’s presence. Even when it was known that Messi would miss certain games, fans flocked to see Inter Miami play. For instance, 51,035 fans attended a match at BC Place in Vancouver on May 25, even though Messi, Suarez, and Sergio Busquets were absent. Similarly, a crowd of 47,218 was present at Bank of America Stadium for Miami’s game against FC Charlotte on July 3, despite Messi’s involvement in Copa America at the time.

At home, attendance at Chase Stadium has remained steady, with crowds averaging around 20,000, whether Messi is playing or not. The average attendance for home games with Messi was 20,866, compared to 20,543 without him. While there was a slight drop in attendance for some Leagues Cup games, this can be attributed to the crowded summer soccer schedule, which included European Championships, Copa America, and the Olympics.

The Messi Effect on Team Dynamics

Beyond his contributions on the field, Messi’s influence on Inter Miami’s team dynamics is profound. Nearly every starter on the team chose to join Inter Miami because of the opportunity to play alongside Messi. Players like Busquets, Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Fede Redondo have brought their experience and talent to the team, elevating the overall quality of play. Even when Messi is not on the field, his presence is felt in the locker room and the training ground.

Defender Noah Allen noted Messi’s influence, saying, “He’s around. We see him every day. He definitely has an influence. He talks to a lot of guys. We see him talking in the gym. He watches us train. He stays around with us in the (practice) facility and comes to all the home games.” This constant presence has had a positive impact on the team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and a winning mentality.

Midfielder Matias Rojas echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the honor of playing alongside Messi: “Leo is always with us. He observes everything. He talks to us before games. He is aware of what’s happening and shares his viewpoint. And for us, those are sacred words. I am honored to be enjoying this season with him. As I’ve always said, and will never get tired of saying, we are sharing day-to-day with the best player in the history of full, and there are no words to explain how that makes us feel. Learning from him and the other three (Busquets, Alba, Suarez) is extraordinary.”

A Season of Growth and Resilience

Inter Miami’s 2024 season has been one of growth and resilience. The team has proven to function and win without its 37-year-old captain, Messi. This resilience will be crucial as Messi remains out indefinitely with his ankle injury. The team’s ability to draw sizable crowds and perform well on the field without him speaks to the depth of the squad and the leadership of head coach Phil Neville.

As the team heads into the season’s final stretch and prepares for the MLS Playoffs, the focus will be on maintaining this momentum. While Messi’s return would undoubtedly bolster the team’s chances, the players have shown that they can compete at the highest level without him.

The Future Without Messi

Inter Miami’s success this season has redefined what the team can achieve without relying solely on Lionel Messi. While the Argentine superstar remains a crucial part of the team, his absence has allowed other players to step up and showcase their talents. This bodes well for the future, as Inter Miami looks to build a sustainable model that can thrive even when Messi is unavailable.

Also read: The Short List of Teams Argentina’s Messi Faced Without Scoring or Assisting

The 2024 season has been a testament to the team’s depth, resilience, and Messi’s enduring influence, both on and off the field. As Inter Miami continues attracting large crowds and securing victories, the club is proving it is more than just a one-person show. Whether Messi is on the pitch or watching from the sidelines, his legacy at Inter Miami is already firmly established. The challenge is to continue building on this foundation and ensure that the club remains a powerhouse in MLS for years.