Lionel Messi has dominated Major League Soccer since joining Inter Miami a few months back. He has already scored his 10th goal against Nashville and led the team to a Leagues Cup victory after a thrilling penalty shootout. As the League Cup reached a historic ending, he finished as the league’s top scorer and with the most Man of the Match awards.
At 36 years old, the revered leader on the field was uncertain for the US Open Semis. There were concerns that he might require a break, given his relentless participation in seven consecutive matches following his entry into Inter Miami. Nevertheless, all uncertainties have been put to rest with the confirmation that he is set to take the field against FC Cincinnati.
Lionel Messi ready to play US Open Cup semifinal against FC Cincinnati
Lionel Messi has been on fire since he landed in Inter Miami this summer, exceeding everyone’s expectations with his outstanding performances and jaw-dropping goals, game after game. Things were not so rosy for the MLS side before Messi joined, Inter Miami had gone on a straight eleven games losing streak. But since the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner made his sensational debut for the club, he has led Inter Miami to seven wins in seven games, scoring ten goals and assisting one in this unbeaten run.
In addition to his jaw-dropping MLS record, Lionel Messi has already won a trophy (the Leagues Cup) and six Man Of The Match Awards. He’s currently the Leagues Cup’s best player and top scorer. What’s mind-blowing is that after just seven matches, Messi now stands as the club’s third top goal scorer of all time. He’s only 19 goals behind Gonzalo Higuain, and remember, he hasn’t even made an appearance in a Major League Soccer match yet!
Leagues Cup’s awards 2023 🏆
🏅 Best Player: Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/gAhPCmtdyO
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 20, 2023
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s latest victory was in the League Cup, and he’s all set to kick off against FC Cincinnati in the team’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday. After playing in the last seven games for Inter Miami, there were speculations that he might be fatigued, hence rested, but Coach Gerardo Martino confirmed in a presser on Monday that: “We said that at some point he would have to rest because of a load of minutes played, clearly, Wednesday is not going to be that day. If he does not tell me he wants to rest, he will continue to play.”
🗣 Jorge Mas, Inter Miami co-owner to TyC Sports:
"Lionel (Messi) is already focused on Wednesday's US Open Cup semi final. He's a competitive beast." pic.twitter.com/pCedOMOs43
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 20, 2023
Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to win Leagues Cup with his incredible performance
Since becoming part of Inter Miami this summer, Messi has geared them to several victories, boosting the team’s overall confidence. Now, the team is raring to go into every match and win. Messi has been an absolute force to reckon with on the Inter Miami team.
He notched up his 10th goal in only seven matches with the club, sealing a victory against Nashville last Saturday. The recent Leagues Cup championship win marked a significant milestone – it’s actually the first time Inter Miami has clinched any trophy. This triumph also put the finishing touches on a remarkable turnaround for the team that was once considered the weakest link in Major League Soccer.
The team’s sudden turnaround has become a significant surprise for Martino and Inter Miami fans. In his press conference, the Inter Miami head coach noted that;
“We didn’t think we would be so competitive at this tournament because our team was still under construction,” Martino said via ESPN “But, we ended up competing and winning, which has made us very happy and optimistic for what is to come.”
Leo Messi is on the way to his second final as the team clashes with FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, and the team looks forward to a Messi master class again.
