How many goals will Lionel Messi score in MLS 2024 season? Predictions, odds, futures for Inter Miami star

Lionel Messi's first full season with Inter Miami is full of intrigue as the 2024 campaign nears its inception.

Having exploded onto the U.S. soccer scene in 2024 with his magical Leagues Cup run, the realities of a 36-year-old amidst the long and arduous MLS season hit and he struggled to help Inter Miami avoid postseason elimination down the stretch.

Now with a full offseason to prepare and a full season of the Argentine star at the club, expectations for Messi and Inter Miami are sky high. The betting market believes Messi will overwhelm MLS opposition over the 2024 season, established as the overwhelming betting favorite to both win the league title and finish as individual top goal scorer despite last season's adversity.

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The Sporting News reviews Messi's chances of winning the MLS Golden Boot in 2024 and scans the league for those who will present a worthy challenge to that push.

Can Inter Miami win 2024 MLS title with Lionel Messi leading the way?

Lionel Messi is the runaway preseason betting favorite to win MLS Golden Boot in 2024, but two major factors are working against him. First, his age and injury history suggest it will be extremely difficult for him to be available for the number of games it requires to top this list, given Inter Miami's participation in CONCACAF Champions Cup plus the Leagues Cup in August.

Second, Inter Miami signed Luis Suarez this offseason who will be a main target up front for the club and could steal a lot of the goal scoring chances. While that's not a bad thing for Messi on a team level — in fact, he will probably be on the creative end of many of Suarez's goals — it's not great for his eventual goal total.

Even with those two factors, Messi