Inter Miami will be playing in a bunch of competitions but will likely have to manage the World Cup winner's minutes

In many ways, Lionel Messi’s transformation of Inter Miami was instantaneous. He arrived in 2023 with God-like pull and, of course, with extraterrestrial talent. He attracted unfathomable attention. He required new levels of security and professionalism.

Lionel Messi has a half-dozen new Inter Miami teammates this season, and they will play their first game that counts Wednesday night on the road against Sporting KC in the Concacaf Champions Cup opener, which was postponed from Tuesday due to a snowstorm.