Messi’s Magical Season In Miami Continues

The third edition of the Leagues Cup kicked off on July 21 and ended on August 19, with Inter Miami CF holding the trophy at the podium.

The 2023 Leagues Cup was unique because it was the first time all MLS and Liga MC teams were in the tournament. A total of 47 clubs participated in this year’s tournament. 29 from the MLS and 18 from the Liga MX.

77 total matches were played, 29 different venues from 29 different cities hosted games, and 251 total goals were scored in 29 days.

The biggest start of the tournament was none other than Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old from Argentina joined Inter Miami from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Messi has helped rejuvenate Miami. Winning the Leagues Cup was a huge accolade for a club that had been struggling before his arrival.

The League Cup started with a bang for Miami. They faced off against Liga MX team Cruz Azul on the first day of the tournament. Miami went up 1-0 after a goal from midfielder Robert Taylor in the 44 minute. Cruz Azul followed up with a goal in the second half by Uriel Antuna. In extra time, we witnessed the magic of Messi. The superstar star was able to guide a kick in from outside of the penalty box beautifully into the back left side of the net giving Miami the lead in the 94th minute. Giving Miami the win 2-1.

Miami and Messi’s dominance continued for the next two games. The squad was able to score seven goals in two games and surrendered only one. Messi was responsible for four of those goals. Miami finally found themselves in a close game against FC Dallas on August 6th at the Toyota Stadium in Dallas. Making Miami an away team for the night. Messi would start things with a beautiful goal in the sixth minute. Dallas would bounce back scoring the next three goals taking the lead 3-1. One minute after being subbed into the game midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi scored a goal cutting Dallas lead 3-2. Shortly after the Miami goal Dallas scored again gaining a 4-2 lead in the 70th minute. Miami would show grit with 10 minutes of regulation left. Scoring a goal in the 80th and Messi catapulted his team into extra time with a goal in the 85th minute. The game ended in penalty kicks 5-3. Miami went perfect scoring in all 5 attempts.

Miami went back to dominating the field defeating Charlotte 4-0 and Philadelphia 4-1. Setting up a championship match vs. MLS team Nashville. The game was played on August 19 at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The game went as planned for Miami. Messi scored a goal early in the 23rd.

Miamis’ offense stalled the rest of the night not scoring again in regulation. Nashville bounced back in the second half scoring a goal in the 57th from Fafà Picault. The score remained the same and was to be determined by penalty kicks. Messi scored for Miami in the first round and the team scored their next 3 attempts going up 4-3. Each team went back and forth scoring goals. Miami finally made a stop and Drake Callander capitalized on the opportunity giving Miami the win and championship.

In the tournament, Messi scored 10 goals leading the whole tournament and won the best player of the tournament.

Miami is currently competing in the U.S. Open Cup.