Lionel Messi has transformed a floundering Inter Miami side – now he can win a trophy for them
Just one month ago, things looked slightly bleaker for Inter Miami. They had just suffered a 3-0 defeat at Saint Louis City FC and found themselves rock bottom of the Eastern Conference without an MLS win in 11 games. Enter Lionel Messi…
The Argentine magician has carried Inter Miami on his short, squat back, dazzling fans and defenders alike with his mesmerising skill. Alongside his dependable sidekicks Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as his new apprentices Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor, the bright, pink-coloured, flamingo-esque side has won every game since his arrival.
Before Messi joined, Miami managed to score 22 goals in 22 MLS matches. However, since Messi’s arrival, they have netted 21 goals across merely six Leagues Cup matches. An incredible transformation.
Granted, these games have been in the Leagues Cup, not the MLS. The tournament involves all MLS and Liga MX sides, and the top three sides obtain qualification into the CONCACAF Champions League.
Inter Miami comfortably brushed aside Philadelphia Union 4-1 in the semi-finals and have made it to the final. In their win against the Union, Miami had just four shots on target. That’s efficiency. Their opening goal came from, you guessed it, Messi. The wizard unleashed a ferocious shot from 36 yards. The ball slid across the hallowed turf and nestled in the far right corner. It was Messi’s longest-range strike for 11 years, since a 38-yard strike against Mallorca in 2012.
Nashville SC, having secured a 2-0 victory against Monterrey in the other semi-final, will face Miami in the upcoming final on Saturday at Geodis Park. This marks the first cup final appearance for Inter Miami and the 42nd final in the illustrious career of Messi. Sharing a collection of images from the match on Instagram, the World Cup champion expressed, “We navigated our path to the finals and triumphed. The final hurdle still lies ahead of us.”
Nashville have arguably had the harder route to the final, having had to face three of Liga MX’s top teams, which are of a higher standard than MLS sides. Regardless, you would expect Messi and co. to be able to overcome any opposition that they have to face. Nashville’s star player is Sam Surridge, who recently signed from Nottingham Forest. He is a solid player and has scored three in three games in the Leagues Cup. Surridge has a respectable 63 career goals. By comparison, Messi has scored 64 goals from free-kicks alone. Messi and Inter Miami should have enough star power to see this one out.
Due to Miami’s dominant performances in the early stages of Messi’s time with the team, they are now emerging as a potential contender (albeit still in the early stages) to secure victory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and earn a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
