When Lionel Messi signed a contract with MLS club Inter Miami this summer, his impact off the field was known — he’d be the biggest superstar ever to play in the league. His impact on the field for a last-place team was more unknown.
For bettors and fans alike, it has been a sight to behold. And all of a sudden, betting on Messi to score a goal has become a “sure-thing” wager.
Yes, Messi has only played in four games so far for Inter Miami, but he’s scored in every one, and has scored TWICE in three of them — which has been reflected in his odds.
Here is the evolution of Messi’s odds to score a goal at sportsbooks, according to Covers.com:
Jul 21. vs. Cruz Azul: +190
Jul 25. vs. Atlanta: +110
Aug 2. vs. Orlando: -105
Aug 5. vs. Dallas: -110
Today vs. Charlotte: -200
It has become almost a guarantee that Lionel Messi will score a goal when he suits up for Inter Miami CF.
Odds to score a goal in his first five games:
Jul 21. vs Cruz Azul: +190
Jul 25. vs Atlanta: +110
Aug 2. vs Orlando: -105
Aug 5. vs Dallas: -110
Today vs Charlotte: -200 pic.twitter.com/X7hnvPvF84— Covers (@Covers) August 11, 2023
And that number has already been bet up to -225 at BetMGM sportsbooks.
According John Ewing at BetMGM, there were nearly as many bets on Messi to score (anytime, first, 2+ goals) as bets on the match result.
On Friday, Messi to score two-or-more goals is the most popular bet on the game at BetMGM sportsbooks. Inter Miami was a -225 favorite to advance on the three-way line against Charlotte FC on Friday, with 75% of bets and 95% of handle on the team to win in regulation.
Inter Miami cruised 4-0 and Messi scored another goal in the 86th minute, cashing for a fifth straight game for bettors.
