How has Messi fared in his first 5 matches for Inter Miami?

It's real, and it's spectacular.

Lionel Messi has taken North American soccer by storm since his seismic move to Inter Miami. The Argentine icon, 36, eschewed a romantic return to Barcelona, and an opulent offer from Saudi Arabia, to play in Major League Soccer, putting pen to paper after three years of dogged negotiating by club owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham.

His arrival promises to transform Inter Miami and Major League Soccer. It'll further raise the profile of the sport in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. Everyone involved figures to do quite well financially, too; Messi will earn between $50 million and $60 million annually on his initial two-year contract, while a reported profit-sharing agreement with Apple TV+, home of MLS' streaming service, played a key role in bringing the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to Fort Lauderdale.

But how has he done on the pitch so far? Messi hasn't played an official MLS match just yet, as his arrival coincided with Inter Miami's participation in the Leagues Cup, a 47-team midseason tournament involving all MLS and Liga MX sides. However, he's already made an enormous impact on the league, his club, and his new teammates in less than a month. Every time he steps on the field, it's must-see viewing.

Here's a game-by-game analysis, and overall conclusion, of Messi's opening five Leagues Cup matches for Inter Miami, starting with his storybook debut.

July 21: Inter Miami 2-1 Cruz Azul

Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 20,512

It really doesn't get any more magical than this.

With a bevy of celebrities in attendance - including LeBron James and Serena Williams - and intrigue at a fever pitch, Messi produced an all-time epic moment in his first game in pink, coming off the bench to score a trademark free-kick in the 94th minute that sent chills up the spine and delivered a most memorable 2-1 victory over Mexican counterparts Cruz Azul.

"Tonight's a dream come true for everybody in this stadium to see - and everybody in this country," Beckham said after experiencing a moment that felt as though it was plucked right out of a Hollywood script. "I don't have many words for that." Same, David.

The key moment

By the numbers

Rating: 10/10

July 25: Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United

Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 19,758

Messi's encore wasn't too shabby, either.

Making his first start for the club, the newly minted Inter Miami captain immediately took over proceedings. He scored a brace within the opening 22 minutes against Atlanta United, including one goal that came after a lofted ball over the top of the opposition backline from longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets. Messi also played a key role in the other two tallies, adding one assist to his account for good measure when he teed up Robert Taylor, the Finnish midfielder who's been transformed since Messi's arrival.

In less than two full matches, it became abundantly clear that the entire Inter Miami team orbits around the World Cup winner.

The key moment

By the numbers

Rating: 10/10

Aug. 2: Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City

Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 20,181

Messi's habit of scoring shortly after stepping onto the pitch continued in his third match, a feisty affair against local rivals Orlando City. He ghosted into the penalty area in the seventh minute before thumping the ball home from close range - leaving him alone, of all people, seems unwise. He then solidified Miami's victory with another tally in the 72nd minute.

The diminutive legend's goals were sandwiched by a Josef Martinez penalty and came after a severe weather warning delayed the start of the contest by nearly two hours.

Not even Mother Nature could knock Messi off his stride. Orlando City never stood a chance.

The key moment

By the numbers

Rating: 9/10

Aug. 6: FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami*

*Inter Miami win 5-3 on penalties

Venue: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 19,096

What a roller coaster.

Messi's first away match for Inter Miami started off just like his previous two outings: with an early goal. He opened the scoring on a sweltering evening in Texas by stroking the ball home after receiving a Jordi Alba pass from the left wing. The sequence looked eerily similar to his famous 2017 goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, which Messi celebrated by holding up his shirt to the rabid crowd.

Instead of a procession, though, chaos ensued. FC Dallas, who exploited Miami's defensive deficiencies better than anyone else since Messi's arrival, eventually built a 4-2 lead with 10 minutes remaining. But a stupendous own goal trimmed that advantage and set the stage for Messi to equalize with yet another sensational free-kick in the waning minutes.

This one, curled into the top corner, sent the match directly to penalties, where Messi converted his attempt as Miami claimed the wild win.

The key moment

By the numbers

Rating: 10/10

Aug. 11: Inter Miami 4-0 Charlotte FC

Venue: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 20,368

Charlotte FC did a better job than any team thus far of limiting Messi's usually enormous impact on a football match. They still lost 4-0.

In the best example yet of Messi making those around him better just by his mere presence, the rest of the squad stepped up to guide Tata Martino's side into the Leagues Cup semifinals. Taylor has perhaps been the biggest benefactor on the pitch thus far. A journeyman who spent much of his career bouncing around various Scandinavian clubs, the 28-year-old wide midfielder suddenly looks like prime Angel Di Maria and kept his red-hot form going with a goal against Charlotte.

Of course, Messi made sure to keep his own prolific streak alive, adding some gloss to the final score with a late marker. Even in his most nondescript performance for Inter Miami, he still found the net. It's all too easy for him right now, as evidenced in the first half when he used a classic drop of the shoulder to beat his marker and send him crashing into a Charlotte teammate in the process. Messi was moving at a walking pace on the sequence.

The key moment

By the numbers

Rating: 8/10

Overall assessment so far

Pretty damn good!

Messi has eight goals in less than five full games, and he's now tied with Martinez for the team's scoring lead in all competitions this season. The Venezuelan striker has played 20 more matches than his Argentine peer.

Through five games, Messi leads the Leagues Cup in both goals and shots on target, and he's tied for the lead in total shot attempts. So, yeah, he might be just a little better than everyone else around him at the moment.

Busquets, and to a lesser extent Alba, have certainly made an impact, but, let's be honest, Messi has transformed everything at Inter Miami. The Herons were the worst team in Major League Soccer when he touched down in Florida, sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference. Technically, they still are. But, regardless of what happens in the Leagues Cup, when MLS play resumes, everyone is going to be riveted watching Messi try to drag his team to the playoffs.

He'll have 12 matches to accomplish that feat. Hell, the way it's going right now, Messi could still lead Inter Miami to three trophies this season, as the club is also in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup. Would you bet against them?

"The truth is that beyond the collective effort of the team, we're also here because of what (Messi) has offered in these last five games," Martino acknowledged ahead of the Leagues Cup semifinals. "And not only what he gives, but what he generates for his teammates. There's great confidence in the rest of the players playing with him."

That's a true sign of greatness, and there are none greater than Messi.