Inter Miami CF was once a young club trying to establish itself in American soccer. Since beginning play in Major League Soccer in 2020, the team has experienced a remarkable transformation. Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2023 changed the club’s global profile and helped usher in its most successful period.

Inter Miami won its first major trophy, the Leagues Cup, in 2023. The club subsequently lifted the MLS Supporters’ Shield, the Eastern Conference Championship, the MLS Cup and the 2026 Campeones Cup. In just a few years, the South Florida club became one of the most closely followed teams in North American soccer.

To understand this transformation, however, it is important to look at Inter Miami before Messi arrived—and the challenges the club faced during its first seasons.

The Founding of Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami’s official launch was announced on January 29, 2018. The club was introduced as the 25th franchise in Major League Soccer, although it did not begin competing in the league until 2020.

One of the club’s leading founders and owners is David Beckham. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain star set out to establish a club capable of attracting international attention while representing South Florida.

In September 2018, Inter Miami unveiled its name, crest and colours. Its full name, Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, reflects its international outlook. The pink-and-black identity and the two-heron crest soon became recognisable symbols of the club.

Inter Miami played its first MLS match against Los Angeles FC on March 1, 2020. Although the team lost 1–0, the match marked the beginning of a new chapter in Miami’s football history.

Inter Miami Before Messi: Early Struggles

Between 2020 and 2022, Inter Miami worked to establish itself in MLS. As a new franchise, the club faced challenges involving squad cohesion, consistency and the competitive demands of the league.

The team came close to the playoffs during its inaugural season but did not achieve the expected breakthrough. In 2021, inconsistency remained a problem. Under Phil Neville, Inter Miami reached the playoffs for the first time in 2022, only to be eliminated by New York City FC in the opening round.

The beginning of the 2023 season brought further difficulties. Results were disappointing, and the team struggled to build momentum. Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino was appointed head coach in June 2023, but the biggest turning point was still to come: Messi and several of his former Barcelona teammates would soon join the club.

Before Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami had not won a major first-team trophy. The club was still developing its identity and trying to become a consistent playoff contender.

2023: Lionel Messi Arrives

On July 15, 2023, Inter Miami officially announced the signing of Lionel Messi. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine superstar began a new chapter of his career in the United States.

Messi’s arrival represented more than a major player transfer. It brought unprecedented international attention to the club, increased global interest in its matches and strengthened its commercial profile.

Messi was joined by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The team was managed by Tata Martino, who had previously coached Barcelona and the Argentina national team.

The new arrivals transformed expectations around the club. Messi’s passing, movement, creativity and ability to influence decisive moments quickly became central to Inter Miami’s attacking play.

The First Trophy: The 2023 Leagues Cup

One of the defining moments in Inter Miami’s history came in the 2023 Leagues Cup. The competition features clubs from the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Messi made his debut in the tournament against Cruz Azul.

He scored a spectacular late free-kick winner in that match and continued to deliver decisive performances as Miami progressed through the competition.

In the final on August 19, 2023, Inter Miami faced Nashville SC. The match finished 1–1 after regulation time, with Messi scoring the opening goal. Miami eventually won 10–9 in the penalty shootout to claim the Leagues Cup.

It was the first official trophy in the club’s history. Messi also won the tournament’s Best Player and Top Scorer awards. <Cite refs={["turn242263search0","turn242263search7"]}/>

The triumph immediately changed the club’s story. Just weeks after Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami had won a trophy that had eluded the team during its earlier seasons.

2024: The Supporters’ Shield and a Record-Breaking Season

Inter Miami became more consistent in 2024. Messi was supported by Luis Suárez, Busquets and Alba, while the team improved its results across the regular season.

On October 2, 2024, Miami defeated Columbus Crew 3–2 to win the Supporters’ Shield for the first time. The award recognises the team with the best overall record during the MLS regular season.

Messi scored twice in the decisive match, while Suárez also found the net. Inter Miami finished the regular season with 74 points, setting a new MLS record for a 34-match regular season.

Despite winning the Supporters’ Shield, Miami did not win the MLS Cup that year. The club was eliminated by Atlanta United in the first round of the playoffs. Nevertheless, its regular-season performance marked a major milestone. <Cite refs={["turn242263search2","turn242263search8"]}/>

2025: Eastern Conference Champions and First MLS Cup

In 2025, Inter Miami aimed to convert regular-season success into a playoff championship. Messi remained central to the team, while contributions from other attacking players proved important.

On November 29, 2025, Miami defeated New York City FC 5–1 to win the Eastern Conference Championship. Tadeo Allende scored a hat-trick, with Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia also finding the net. The victory sent Miami to its first MLS Cup final.

On December 6, 2025, Inter Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3–1 to win the MLS Cup for the first time. Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende scored, alongside a Vancouver own goal. Messi provided two assists and was named MLS Cup MVP.

The title was a major step in the club’s development. After winning the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield, Miami had now claimed the league’s ultimate playoff championship. <Cite refs={["turn242263search0","turn242263search1"]}/>

2026: Another Trophy and a New Chapter

Inter Miami entered 2026 looking to build on its recent success and strengthen its position in North American soccer. The year also represented a new stage in the club’s infrastructure and long-term ambitions.

The team added another trophy by winning the 2026 Campeones Cup. Following the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield, Eastern Conference Championship and MLS Cup, the achievement added to a growing collection of honours. <Cite refs={["turn242263search11"]}/>

In October 2025, the club had also announced a contract extension for Messi through the 2028 MLS season, signalling its intention to continue building around the Argentine captain. <Cite refs={["turn242263search0"]}/>

Inter Miami’s Major Trophies

The club’s notable first-team honours through the 2026 Campeones Cup include:

These competitions recognise different achievements. The Supporters’ Shield rewards regular-season performance, while the MLS Cup is the championship decided through the league’s playoffs.

Before Messi vs After Messi: What Changed?

Before Messi: Inter Miami was a developing MLS franchise. The club struggled for consistency during its first seasons and made its playoff debut in 2022, only to be eliminated in the first round. By the middle of 2023, it had not won a major first-team trophy.

After Messi: Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, the Eastern Conference Championship and MLS Cup in 2025, and the Campeones Cup in 2026. The arrival of Messi, along with experienced players such as Suárez, Busquets and Alba, helped strengthen the team.

However, the club’s progress cannot be attributed to one player alone. Coaching, recruitment, squad depth, ownership and long-term planning have also contributed to its rise.

Inter Miami’s Key Players

Lionel Messi: The central figure in the club’s modern era. His goals, assists, leadership and worldwide appeal have had a major influence on Inter Miami.

Luis Suárez: Messi’s former Barcelona teammate has added goalscoring ability and experience to Miami’s attack.

Sergio Busquets: His passing, positional awareness and control of midfield have helped shape the team’s style.

Jordi Alba: His attacking runs, overlapping play and understanding with Messi have strengthened Miami’s left side.

Drake Callender: The goalkeeper made crucial saves and played a decisive role in the penalty shootout during the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

Tadeo Allende: His hat-trick in the 2025 Eastern Conference final helped Inter Miami reach its first MLS Cup final.

Messi’s Individual Achievements and Club Records

Messi’s influence has extended beyond team trophies. He won the MLS Most Valuable Player award in 2024 and repeated the achievement in 2025, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons. He also won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals during the regular season. <Cite refs={["turn242263search1","turn242263search11"]}/>

In 2026, Messi reached 100 appearances for Inter Miami, another significant milestone in his time with the club. <Cite refs={["turn242263search1"]}/>

Conclusion: From Expansion Club to Championship Contender

Inter Miami’s history is relatively short, but its development has been remarkable. The club was launched in 2018, began playing in MLS in 2020, struggled to find consistency before Messi and then entered a trophy-winning period from 2023 onwards.

Messi’s arrival brought the club global attention and helped transform its competitive ambitions. Under his leadership, Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield, Eastern Conference Championship, MLS Cup and Campeones Cup.

The next stage of the club’s story will depend on recruitment, coaching, developing new talent and maintaining consistency. Inter Miami’s history is not only the story of Messi’s arrival; it is also the story of a young club developing into a championship-winning force.