Messi leads Inter Miami into their first-ever Final

Lionel Messi has steered his Inter Miami team into the Leagues Cup final against Nashville, showcasing his skills in a thrilling 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union on Tuesday night.

The World Cup champion left an indelible mark on the match, scoring a remarkable goal from 35 yards out. Nashville also secured their spot in the final by defeating Monterrey 2-0 in the other semifinal, setting the stage for Saturday’s showdown.

Inter Miami kicked off with an electrifying start as Messi’s strike partner, Josef Martinez, found the net in just the third minute, capitalizing on a long pass and firing into the far corner.

This impressive beginning came in one of the toughest matchups on paper since Messi joined the team a month ago, facing last season’s MLS runner-up.

This time, neither David Beckham, Miami’s co-owner, nor his wife Antonela were present at the match. The two couples were recently incidentally involved in a nightclub altercation, where a diner claimed security mistook him for attempting to photograph Messi and his wife, leading to an altercation.

Despite boos from the crowd as they entered the field, Messi and the Miami team remained undeterred. The World Cup winner demonstrated his impact within just 20 minutes by picking up a ball flicked into his path by Martinez. Messi elegantly moved forward, recognizing the encroaching defenders, and delivered a stunning left-footed shot from 35 yards that swerved beyond the reach of Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, leaving the crowd at Subaru Park in stunned silence.

The action continued before halftime, with Jordi Alba capping off an impressive team play for his first goal in Miami colors. Union coach Jim Curtin’s halftime tactics were evident, instructing his team not to underestimate players like Messi, Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Union showed fight, narrowing the gap with a goal by substitute Alejandro Bedoya in the 73rd minute.

While Union gained momentum, Miami secured their victory in the 84th minute as David Ruiz scored a decisive goal, putting an end to any hopes of a Union comeback.

Messi’s pivotal performance and Inter Miami’s resilience earned them a spot in the final, highlighting the transformative impact of star players in the world of soccer.