What is Inter Miami’s MLS record with and without Lionel Messi?

Is Lionel Messi’s honeymoon period at Inter Miami over? Since the Argentina captain returned from September’s international break, The Herons have badly struggled to recapture the form they showed immediately after his arrival. After winning 11 games out of 12 (penalty shootouts included) from the start of the Leagues Cup through to 10 September, they are now on a run of just one victory in six matches, three of which they have played without their injured playmaker.

Inter Miami’s recent slump

In the six games played without their “new” talisman, they have won only twice, with their slump including a defeat in the US Open final against Houston Dynamo. On Saturday, an injury-time goal from Tomás Avilés rescued a point at home to New York City, although Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side have got plenty of work to do if they are to have any chance of clinching a place in the end-of-season MLS Cup playoffs.

The Florida side have to make up a four-point deficit to make it into ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, which would qualify them for the wildcard round, and they have at least one game in hand on the teams directly above them. However, they could really do with an upturn in form.

Herons dependent on Messi

“We expect to be successful quickly. Lionel Messi and his teammates hope to lift trophies and play in finals,” said co-owner Jorge Mas after the League Cup final, which Inter Miami won against Nashville SC in August. Several weeks later, however, their results have tailed off and their dependence on the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has become more and more evident.

Since Messi’s arrival at the club, The Herons have netted 30 goals in games in which he has played some part, over half of which (16) Messi has either scored or assisted (53.3%).

Inter Miami’s MLS record	With Messi	Without Messi
Games played	4	5
Points per game	2.5	1
Goals scored per game	2.25	1.4
Goals conceded per game	0.25	2.4

Although even the former Barcelona star has suffered a dip: after netting 10 times in his first seven appearances, he has scored only twice in his last five, and just once in MLS overall.

And while Inter Miami’s “B team” has shown plenty of promise for the mid-to-long-term future, they have struggled to live up to short-term expectations. The young talents at the club have proved themselves to be capable performers but have been lacking a cutting edge in attack which makes all good teams great ones.

Facundo Farías has taken on the unenviable role of Messi’s replacement and has scored in important victories against LAFC, Sporting Kansas City and Toronto, the match in which Messi suffered the injury problems that have sidelined him for the last three matches. However, at just 21, it would be unwise to expect too much from the young Argentine.

Four matches left to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs

The last four matches of the regular MLS season will decide Inter Miami’s fate and the desperation to play in the MLS Cup playoffs is there for all to see. The Herons must play against direct rivals Charlotte FC, twice, and Chicago Fire, as well as runaway Conference leaders FC Cincinnati. Martino’s men can still achieve their goal, but the statistics show having a fit and firing Messi would be a huge help.