How Does Lionel Messi Stack Up For His First Impressions In South Florida?

When Lionel Messi first signed to Major League Soccer, many anticipated he would dominate the competition.

Well, those predictions are coming to life in real time.

Even though it's just the Leagues Cup, Messi has already scored three goals en route to two Inter Miami victories. He is already winning the hearts of South Florida sports fans, but how does he place against his basketball counterparts’ starts in Miami?

Shaquille O’Neal’s first season certainly caught the eyes of Heat fans. He was traded after years of championships with the Los Angeles Lakers due to tension with Kobe Bryant. He averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, losing the 2004-05 MVP to Steve Nash in arguably the closest race in league history.

LeBron James immediately established himself as a threat in Miami by complementing Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. He was dishing out assists and collecting boards while averaging 25 points in his first months. For the month of December alone, the Heat only lost a single game to the Dallas Mavericks. (Perhaps this was foreshadowing for the Finals…)

The Heat’s most recent superstar addition was Jimmy Butler, who was labeled a locker room cancer with his conflict with the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He removed those labels in Miami, transforming himself into a superstar. His first months included career highs and Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards. What transpired later in the season was the franchise’s first Finals appearance since 2014.

So it looks like Messi’s got some competition. But given what he's done so far, it won’t be long until he wins over Miami fans.

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on TikTok @jaydenarmant.