Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during the Leagues Cup final football match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami in at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 19, 2023. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) | Photo Credit: AFP
One month after his arrival, Lionel Messi helped his new team win their first trophy since its creation. This Saturday evening, the Florida team faced Nashville in the final of the Leagues Cup (a competition between Mexican and MLS teams). In the 23rd minute of the first half, the Argentine number 10 opened the scoring for Miami with a magnificent strike that found the top corner.
In the 57th minute of the second half, Fafa Picault equalized for Nashville after a scramble following a corner kick. At the end of the match in the 90th+3 minute, Leonardo Campana came close to scoring a magnificent goal to secure the title for Inter Miami before the end of regulation time. However, his shot hit the post, resulting in a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout.
The outcome of the match was determined in an uncertain penalty shootout that went up to the tenth shooter. Lionel Messi stepped up first and successfully converted his penalty.
Sergio Busquets, his former teammate at FC Barcelona, also scored his attempt. The goalkeepers then took center stage. Florida’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, converted his penalty and then saved Nashville’s goalkeeper’s shot. Inter Miami won their first trophy since their creation (5 years) thanks to this save.
CAMPEONES DE LA @LEAGUESCUP 2023 🏆🏆 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/o6xR1GWSRD
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023
Lionel Messi finished as the top scorer of the tournament and was named the competition’s best player. With this new title, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner now has 44 trophies and becomes the most decorated player in history, surpassing (or tying with) his former teammate Dani Alves (43 or 44 titles, depending on the count).
1️⃣0️⃣ @LeaguesCup goals for our #10 👏👏#NSHvMIA | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/ELAqrPnMLb
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023
Next Wednesday, Inter Miami and Messi could qualify for a second consecutive final by defeating Cincinnati, one of the best teams in MLS this season, in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open Cup.
Source; BBC Sport