Messi propelled Inter Miami to the top of the MLS.

The MLS (Major League Soccer) has just announced the power index rankings of the clubs after the 9th round of matches, with Messi's Inter Miami convincingly reclaiming the top spot.

How did Messi help Inter Miami reach the top?

"Messi may not have played at his best in the recent match against Columbus Crew (April 20th), but the influence of the 37-year-old Argentinian star on the Inter Miami team's playing style is immense."

Messi didn't score, but his presence was enough to help Inter Miami win against Columbus Crew and continue their unbeaten run in MLS.

Photo: Reuters

Benjamin Cremaschi's solitary goal in the 30th minute was enough for Inter Miami to secure a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew and maintain their unbeaten record since the start of the season. It came from a well-executed play orchestrated by Messi and Suarez, before Marcelo Weigandt delivered an accurate cross for Cremaschi (the 19-year-old American forward) to score," the MLS website wrote.

"Inter Miami is currently the only team in MLS this season to remain undefeated (5 wins, 3 draws). They average 2.25 points per game, the best record in the league, and have reclaimed the number one spot in the club power index rankings."

"This achievement is particularly significant as Inter Miami dethroned Vancouver Whitecaps FC, their upcoming opponent in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals," MLS added.

Latest MLS Club Power Index Rankings

Image: Screenshot from MLS/X

In the MLS Eastern Conference standings after the ninth round of matches, Inter Miami is ranked third with 18 points, just one point behind the two leading teams, Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati (18 compared to 19).

The team, chaired and co-owned by David Beckham, still has one game in hand. If they win, they will continue to climb to the top of the table, securing the number one spot among the 30 clubs in both the Eastern and Western MLS leagues.

This season, Messi has scored a total of 8 goals and provided 3 assists in 11 matches for Inter Miami. In MLS, the Argentinian star played 6 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists.

He and his teammates are preparing for a crucial first leg semi-final match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Vancouver Whitecaps FC away from home at 9:30 AM on April 25th. The second leg of this tournament will take place at 7:00 AM on May 1st, sandwiched between which is Inter Miami's match against FC Dallas in the MLS at 4:00 AM on April 28th.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-dua-inter-miami-len-top-clb-manh-nhat-mls-18525042308352008.htm