How real is the "Messi Effect" on Inter Miami and MLS?

Lionel Messi has had a good time joining David Beckham-backed MLS club, Inter Miami. He hasn't had any problem adjusting to life in a new environment and league. Messi continued a five-game scoring streak, waiting until the 88th minute to score Miami's fourth and final goal against Charlotte. This advances Inter Miami to the semifinals of the Leagues Cup.

So far, Messi has recorded Eight goals and three assists, and the club has a perfect record of 5W-0D-0L in games he's played in. Besides play-making, Lionel Messi's free kicks are truly a sight to behold. He has this uncanny ability to make them look effortless, almost as if he's taking a penalty kick.

Before Messi's arrival, Inter Miami had not been a club to reckon with in the MLS, but has presently become the buzz of the day in terms of match viewership, ticket purchase, sports memorabilia sales and more. The social handles of Inter Miami has also received a face lift as many new followers have been gained.

With 5 matches won in a row with Messi, many are of the opinion that the entire turnaround in the output of Inter Miami is due to Messi's arrival. But, Messi is just one player out of 11 that play on a pitch per time, but how does his singular presence boost the performance of all his colleagues? Are there other factors contributing to the sudden boost in performances of the Inter Miami players?

How real is the viral "Messi Effect" on Inter Miami and MLS?