Messi has already scored seven goals since arriving at Inter Miami last month – and that’s without even playing a MLS game.

All four of his appearances have come in Leagues Cup matches, with Inter Miami winning all four.

But Sunday’s fixture against FC Dallas was the closest that Gerardo Martino’s side have come to losing in that time, with the franchise coming back from 3-1 down to level at 4-4 at full-time.

Unsurprisingly, it was Messi that scored a 85th-minute equaliser – his second goal of the game – to take the match to extra time, a trademark stunning free kick from 25 yards out that nestled in the top corner.

The goal even got Inter Miami franchise owner David Beckham on to his feet – and he watched on as Messi confidently dispatched his spot kick in the subsequent penalty shootout.

David Beckham’s reaction to Lionel Messi free-kick against FC Dallas
Credit: Twitter/@M30Xtra

In fact, the Argentinian’s side scored all five of their penalties to secure yet another win, with Paxton Pomykal failing to convert for FC Dallas.

The hosts did score their other penalties – including one from star striker Jesus Ferreira – but it wasn’t enough.

Inter Miami were therefore left to celebrate their victory – but opposition players took the opportunity to have photos taken with Messi despite their defeat.

FC Dallas players take pictures with Messi

As the highest-profile arrival in MLS history, sports coverage in the United States has been dominated by Messi.

Fans have been desperate to watch the Argentinian play live, and his first appearance was the most-watched football game in US history.

But it isn’t just fans that want to meet the iconic forward. Opposition players, it appears, want to do likewise – and FC Dallas players approached Messi after the end of the shootout on Sunday.

You can see the footage below.

While the clip probably won’t go down too well with FC Dallas fans after their side’s defeat – and there is potentially a better time and place to grab a photo with Messi – it shows the impact that the 36-year-old has already had on football in the United States.

Messi does have a project on his hands, though, with Inter Miami the worst-performing team in the entire MLS in 2023. Judging by his performances already, you sense that may change soon enough.

Published 12:52, 07 August 2023 BST| Last updated 12:52, 07 August 2023 BST

FC Dallas and Inter Miami fans clashed outside the stadium after their League Cup match on Monday.

Lionel Messi was once again the hero for his new club after he helped kickstart a comeback from 4-2 down at the Toyota Stadium.

The seven time ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring for Inter Miami, latching onto a pass from new signing Jordi Alba inside six minutes.

FC Dallas soon found their groove, though, scoring three goals before Benjamin Cremaschi pulled one back for Inter Miami.

An own goal from Robert Taylor restored Dallas’ two-goal buffer before Messi took centre-stage once more, curling a free-kick into a dangerous area where Dallas defender Marco Farfan could only head into his own net.

Five minutes later, the little magician produced even more Messi magic as he typically whipped a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner to take the game to penalties.

Messi and Sergio Busquets were on target from the spot as Inter Miami booked their place in the last 16, but some fans clearly didn’t see eye to eye after the game.

A clip has emerged of both sets of fans fighting outside the stadium, with the cause of the brawl unknown. You can watch the footage below.

Meanwhile, FC Dallas players were spotted taking pictures with Messi after their defeat, with the players unwilling to let their loss get in the way of a good photo opportunity.

After the full-time whistle, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino waxed lyrical about his No. 10.

“We have the best player in the world. That can’t be ignored. When we have our moments, the team is lethal,” he said, before being asked where the team would be without Messi.

“This question always gets asked in the places where he is. Someone can bet on what Barcelona would’ve looked like without Messi, what the Argentina national team would look like without Messi or anywhere he’s been.

“Fortunately, we have him, and today he once again showed he’s a tremendously important player. The majority of times there’s a free kick in this area, and I think only with him do you get the feeling that it’s going to be a goal.

“A free kick usually is something where you think it won’t be a goal 90 percent of the time, but when he has it, it’s the opposite. You think it won’t be a goal 10 percent of the time, but the rest it will be.”

Lionel Messi’s highlights against FC Dallas are a joke, he makes everything look so easy

Published 8:42, 07 August 2023 BST| Last updated 8:44, 07 August 2023 BST