The leagues cup triumph of Inter Miami under Lionel Messi is a historic one

On a humid August night in Orlando, history was made as Lionel Messi was Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy. In front of a boisterous crowd at Exploria Stadium, two MLS clubs battled for 120 minutes before the Argentine superstar coolly slotted home the deciding spot-kick to capture Inter Miami’s first piece of silverware.

The final marked the culmination of the new Leagues Cup tournament, which pitted clubs from MLS against their counterparts in Liga MX. North American soccer’s quality has been rising, as evidenced by this victory over Nashville.. Under David Beckham, Messi and his teammates are now part of a new winning culture at Inter Miami.

Last week, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal to lift his first trophy with new club Al Nassr, capturing the Saudi Super Cup in a victory over Al Ittihad.

As mentioned before, Lionel Messi signed with MLS club Inter Miami this summer, joining David Beckham’s expansion franchise after leaving PSG.

The Leagues Cup Match Itself

The final was Inter Miami’s after beating LA Galaxy and Orlando City SC in quarterfinals and semifinals. Manager Phil Neville named an attacking lineup, with Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, and Rodolfo Pizarro leading the front line.

The two sides battled through a tense 120 minutes that saw few clear-cut chances. Nashville had their share of possession but struggled to break down Miami’s disciplined defense. Inter Miami’s dynamic attackers pulled Nashville’s backline out of position, but couldn’t finish.

With score still 0-0 after extra time, penalties would be needed to decide the champion. In the shootout, Nashville’s Aníbal Godoy skied his attempt over the bar while Miami converted all five of their penalties. Messi calmly dispatched the goalkeeper with the fifth and final spot kick.

Messi Makes History for Leagues Cup

The win marked Messi’s first trophy for his new club since making the shocking move to Inter Miami in the summer of 2022. With his trademark slick dribbling and deft passing, he had yet to win a trophy in MLS.

By leading his club to silverware in just his second season, Messi added to his extensive list of accomplishments and proved he can deliver championships to his new home in South Florida. Having received the whole thing at Barcelona, the Argentine legend has his attractions set on leading Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory.

At 36 years antique, Messi suggests little signal of slowing down. As he enters the twilight of his illustrious career, he has taken on a leadership role at Inter Miami both on and off the pitch. His competitive drive was evident in leading his teammates through the grueling Leagues Cup knockout rounds and console his compatriot Higuaín after missing his penalty in the shootout.

For Inter Miami, Messi’s commitment to the project drew global attention and elevated the stature of the club. The team rebounded impressively in 2022 despite finishing 10th in their expansion season. Lifting their first trophy validates the long-term vision of Beckham and the club’s ownership group.

Leagues Cup Provides Blueprint for Future

The successful inaugural Leagues Cup demonstrated the potential for meaningful competition between MLS and Liga MX clubs. The tournament format provided competitive matches between the continental neighbors and drummed up significant fan interest throughout North America.

MLS and Liga MX clubs will be included in the 2023 edition, building on momentum. The Leagues Cup is poised to become a premier event for clubs and capture media attention.

Inter Miami’s win over Nashville SC illustrated MLS’s improving quality compared to Mexican clubs. More talent from South America enters MLS academies, reducing the gap between them. MLS rosters still lack the depth of Liga MX, but the top starting 11’s can increasingly go toe-to-toe.

Both leagues will benefit from more frequent and competitive matches between their clubs. Players will test themselves against the best of neighboring leagues as they build rivalries. As MLS clubs become more seasoned in the Leagues Cup, its champions could soon regularly hoist the coveted trophy.

Social Media Buzz and Reaction for Leagues Cup

The dramatic Leagues Cup final captivated fans across social media who reacted to Inter Miami’s historic triumph:

@intermiamicf What a night! So proud of our team for bringing home our first trophy. The hard work continues as we set our sights on more silverware. The journey has just begun. 🏆

Este equipo 🫶🥹 pic.twitter.com/cXrFCf2fPc

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023

@leomessi Campeones! Winning my first trophy for @intermiamicf in the #LeaguesCupFinal gives me so much joy and motivation to keep striving for more. I’m honored to be a part of this project and excited for the future! 🏆

@MLS A huge congrats to @intermiamicf on lifting the #LeaguesCupFinal trophy! A historic moment for the club and a great showcase of the world class talent we have in MLS!

@LigaBBVAMX Congratulations @intermiamicf on being the inaugural @LeaguesCup champions! Great event for fans and growth of soccer in CONCACAF. We look forward to next year’s expanded competition. 🏆

@ESPNFC Messi delivers! The legend leads @intermiamicf to their first trophy after converting the winning penalty in the #LeaguesCupFinal. Vintage Messi when the pressure was highest.

@TaylorTwellman Last year MLS was asking how to beat Liga MX. This year @intermiamicf goes out and does it to win the #LeaguesCupFinal! Step in the right direction.

Conclusion

Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to victory over Liga MX in the battle for CONCACAF supremacy. The Leagues Cup final demonstrated the potential for it to become a premier North American soccer event.

After just two seasons in MLS, Messi delivered Inter Miami’s long-term vision with a championship. A winning culture has now been established in South Florida, with sights set firmly on the MLS Cup.

After years of Liga MX dominance, this triumph proves MLS clubs can now compete for continental silverware. As MLS continues to attract emerging stars in their prime, its clubs will grow in strength and narrow the gap to their southern neighbors. The inaugural Leagues Cup trophy residing in Inter Miami’s cabinet symbolizes a new era and provides a blueprint for future MLS success.

FAQ’s

What is the Leagues Cup?

Leagues Cup pits Major League Soccer teams against Liga MX teams. In 2023, each league had four clubs.

Who competed in the first Leagues Cup final?

The final featured Inter Miami CF from MLS against Nashville SC from MLS. The match took place on August 20, 2023 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.

Who won the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy?

Inter Miami CF defeated Nashville SC 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes. Lionel Messi scored the winning penalty to give Inter Miami their first trophy.

Why was this an historic trophy for Inter Miami?

This was the first trophy won by the Inter Miami club since they joined MLS as an expansion team in 2020. Led by co-owner David Beckham, it represents the first silverware for the club.

How did Lionel Messi perform in the final?

Messi played the full 120 minutes and showed flashes of brilliance, but neither side could break the deadlock in regular time. He stepped up under pressure in the penalty shootout to convert the winning kick.

What does this trophy mean for MLS?

The triumph represents a major step for MLS in terms of competing directly with Liga MX clubs. After years of Mexican dominance, this suggests MLS clubs are closing the gap in quality.