FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi posted 12 goals and eight assists across Inter Miami’s first 15 matches of the 2026 MLS season, both figures tied for second-most in the league, propelling the defending MLS Cup champions to fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race as the league prepares to restart after a seven-week World Cup pause.
Miami’s 9W-2L-4D record through 15 matches has produced 31 points and an MLS-best 39 goals scored. Messi also tallied 43 key passes in that span — numbers many players would be content to produce over a full season, according to MLS. The Argentine forward has carried that form into the World Cup, where he is in a lively Golden Boot race for defending champions Argentina.
The club also christened Nu Stadium, its gleaming new home, which MLS described as one of the league’s loveliest venues. Miami trails early pacesetters Nashville SC, who lead the Shield race and have lost just once in 14 league games, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who sit one point ahead of Miami with a 10W-2L-2D record and an MLS-leading plus-22 goal differential.
Miami’s dominance at the top of the Eastern Conference comes as the league sent a record 45 active players to the World Cup, representing 22 of its 30 clubs and 17 nations. Chicago Fire FC striker Hugo Cuypers, not Messi, leads the Golden Boot race with 13 goals in just 11 appearances.
On the opposite end of the Florida spectrum, Orlando City endured a nightmarish 1W-6L-1D start to the season, leaking 25 goals in that eight-match span. The Lions face a steep climb when league play resumes.
San Jose Earthquakes, Miami’s fellow 2026 breakout story under coaching legend Bruce Arena, opened the season 9W-1L-0D before injuries cooled their form. “The potential here is awesome,” Arena told reporters. “It’s a great area, the Bay Area, with some of the biggest corporations in the world; the demographics are very favorable for our sport. I think the people will be more aware of our league and locally of the Earthquakes, and hopefully that allows us to have really good support as we finish out the season.”
The Earthquakes host Orlando City on July 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV in one of the league’s first matches back from the World Cup break.