image credit (Chandan Khanna/AFP)
Inter Miami beat Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup Final 10-9 on penalties on Saturday night.
It is the first trophy Inter Miami has won in its four-year history. The victory comes just over a month after signing Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player ever.
Lionel Messi scored the lone goal for Miami in the final, a long strike from outside the box in the 23rd minute of the game. He also scored the first penalty in the shootout, which would take eleven rounds to see Miami win.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender scored and saved a penalty in the final round, securing a dramatic victory for the club.
Since signing with Miami, Messi has scored a remarkable ten goals in seven games, enough to make him the Cup's Top Scorer and Best Player.
Messi signed with Miami after two years of playing for Paris Saint-Germain. He agreed to a two-and-a-half-season contract worth $60 million annually. He also received an equity stake in the club.
"After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way," Messi said after signing with Miami.
The Argentinian soccer player accepted the deal after speculation that he would return to his former club Barcelona or take a contract to play in Saudi Arabia for $400 million a year.
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or, the annual award given to the best player in the world, seven times. He is a strong contender for winning the trophy once again this year, as he won the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina's national team in December 2022.
The Leagues Cup victory makes Messi the most decorated player of all time. The win Saturday night broke a tie between Messi and former teammate Dani Alves at 43 trophies. Messi has won 44 championships for club and country, including the World Cup, four Champions League wins, 10 La Liga titles, and many more.
With Messi still playing at an extraordinary level at age 36, he will look to continue his dominance as the MLS regular season continues for Miami on August 26 against the New York Red Bulls.
Inter Miami sits dead last in the MLS Table and will look to make a charge upward with their revamped roster.
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