At Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has had a completely absurd start to his career. He is without a doubt the most well-known player Major League Soccer has ever signed, and he has already lived up to the expectations.

After his valiant World Cup performances in Qatar back in December, the Argentine is the overwhelming favorite to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or at a later date in the year. He is eager to leave his stamp on American football, therefore he hasn’t come to Florida to relax in a retirement community.

He has yet to make his MLS debut, but he has served as Inter Miami’s talisman as they have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup competition between MLS and Liga MX clubs in Mexico.

“We possess the world’s top player. This cannot be disregarded. Messi scored twice against FC Dallas, according to Inter Miami boss Tata Martino, “when we have our moments, the team is lethal.”

“Wherever he goes, this subject is always raised. Anyone can wager on what Messi’s absence from Barcelona, the Argentina national team, or any other location would have looked like.

Thankfully, we have him, and tonight he once again proved that he is a very crucial player.

Here are nine numbers that show how effective Messi has been for Inter Miami.

– In his first four games for Inter Miami, Messi had scored seven goals. In addition, he had one assist.

In terms of goals and direct goal contributions, that is one goal every 42 and 36 minutes, respectively. To put it in perspective, Messi averaged a goal or assist every 65 minutes at Barcelona and a goal or assist every 94 minutes in the early going. In 2011–12, when he was at the top of his game, he scored or assisted every 51 minutes and averaged one goal per 71 minutes.

He has scored in each of his current outings for Inter Miami, including two in each of his three starts. He has now scored two crucial free kicks in just four games.

– In addition, Messi converted a penalty in Miami’s triumph over FC Dallas in the penalty shootout. Additionally, he sent a free-kick cross that led to Marco Farfan of Dallas scoring an own goal.

– Denis Bouanga of LAFC leads all scorers in the MLS with 15 goals (12 MLS and three League Cup). Despite only making his MLS debut in July, Messi has the potential to surpass Ronaldo as the highest scorer overall in 2023 if he continues on his current trajectory. Season began in February.

– The 36-year-old is currently the Leagues Cup’s leading scorer this year. He has scored in each of the competition’s games thus far, and he has been Inter Miami’s standout player as they have advanced to the quarterfinals.

– In North American football, Messi has already scored more goals in just four games than Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo, Lothar Matthaus, Claudio Reyna, Freddie Ljungberg, and Denilson combined. Even though they all arguably failed while competing domestically, they showed that it’s not always simple to become a much-hyped designated player.

In spite of making hundreds of appearances together, that group only managed to score nine goals. After only four games, Lionel Messi is just two behind on his own.

– Inter Miami has won each of the four games in which Messi has appeared so far (including the victory over FC Dallas in a shootout). Before his arrival, they had lost six games and had only won four of their previous 14 games overall. At the moment, they are last in the MLS Eastern Conference.