Lionel Messiscored a screamer and won his first trophy for his new team as Inter Miami beat Nashville on penalties (10-9) after their final ended 1-1 in 90 minutes.
Lionel Messi has been in sensational form since joining Inter Miami and he guided the Major League Soccer (MLS) side to the Leagues Cup title on Sunday. It was the first title with the team for Messi and as a result, the Argentine superstar is now the most decorated footballer in the history of the game. This was his 44th career title - the most by any football player in their career. During the course of his illustrious career, Messi has won 5 titles with Argentina including the FIFA World Cup 2022. In his club career, Messi won 35 titles with FC Barcelona including the La Liga and UEFA Champions League
Messi scored a screamer and won his first trophy in North American soccer as Inter Miami beat Nashville on penalties (10-9) after their final ended 1-1 in 90 minutes
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The World Cup winner from Argentina gave Miami the lead in the 24th minute with a spectacular shot into the top corner, but Nashville's Fafa Picault equalised in the second half.
Messi struck the post, and Miami's Leonardo Campana missed a last-second opportunity to win the game in regulation. The game then went to a shootout, which culminated in a duel between the two goalkeepers and Miami's Drake Callender saving Elliot Panicco's shot.
The American goalie, who had made some crucial saves late in the game to keep his team in the game, was hurried to join in the celebration by Messi and his teammates.
Miami, in their third season of existence, were rock bottom of Major League Soccer when Messi joined them a month ago but Messi, along with Spanish pair Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, has utterly transformed the team leading them on a seven game unbeaten run to the League Cup title.
Co-owner David Beckham, who created the club, said he was stunned by the way the former Barcelona trio had been able to bring about change so quickly.
It is like a movie, you watch these players play and it is, emotionally, everything about their play is beautiful,” he said.
Seven-times Ballon d'Or winner Messi has now scored 10 goals in seven games in the pink shirt of his new club and on Wednesday has the chance to reach another final when his team take on Cincinnati in the semi-final of the US Open Cup.
This was not the dominant, entertaining Miami that in the past month has lit up the tournament, featuring MLS and Mexican Liga MX clubs, but the win was sweet nonetheless.
"I am very happy to win our first title in just one month, the club's first. The team is growing by leaps and bounds and we are very happy," said midfielder Busquets.