What should Inter Miami fans expect of Lionel Messi in 2024 with his first full season in Major League Soccer now underway?

Everything, that’s all. Matters not that he will turn 37 in a few months. Time is the constraint of mere mortals. This is Messi: Greatest of all time and greater than time itself.

Are we serious? Another question: Can there be too much hyperbole when applied to this man?

And now Messi is joined not only by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba again, but by new attacker Luis Suarez to form a Big 4.

The superteam on paper looked the part on grass in much of Wednesday night’s season opener in Fort Lauderdale in a sold-out stadium, decisively handling Real Salt Lake though the 2-0 final didn’t reflect the early dominance.

Robert Taylor’s right-footed skimmer found the inside left post in the 39th minute on a perfect assist from (of course) Messi. Diego Gomez’s goal in the 83rd minute provided the breathing room on service from Suarez.

Memorable Messi moment du jour: Chipping the ball over a fallen defender to himself and uncorking a shot on goal.

The Herons showed some fatigue in the second half, used three substitutes and needed two big saves from Drake Callender. It was the residue of the unwisely rigorous 25,000-mile preseason tour.

Still, how great is the potential of this team in pink? Think the 1972-73 double-champion Dolphins. Think the 2010-14 Big 3 Heat that won a pair of championships.

No, we are not predicting a Perfect Season II in South Florida. Otherwise though the bar on expectations cannot be set any higher.

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