August 20, 2023 – 09:53
Lionel Messi celebrates after winning the League Cup. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP
Lionel Messi started his American career in a rather impressive way. Hungarian time, he has already won a trophy with his new team, Inter Miami, on Sunday morning. the League Cup Teams from MLS (North American Professional Soccer League) and Liga MX (Mexican First Division) participated in the tournament, which was held first in groups and then in the knockout stages, i.e. clubs from three countries (American, Mexican and Canadian teams).
Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi (and former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets), won the final against Nashville on penalties. Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi scored a stunning goal in this match, as he did in every match of the tournament. He scored a total of 10 times in 7 cup matches, so it was no surprise that he became the top scorer, ahead of South Africa’s Bongokohli Hlongwen (Minnesota United) who scored 7 goals.
Messi was very lively throughout the tournament, and seemed to have more space to play football and take solutions, such as scoring a goal with a shot from 30 meters, which had previously been uncharacteristic for him. Of course, he was also named the best player in the League Cup. The third place in the Cup was won by the Philadelphia Union, who also had Gazdag Danil in the team.
It was Messi’s 44th trophy since 2004, and now it’s also unique – wrote football expert Fabrizio Romano in on Twitter. Previously, Lionel Messi and another short footballer, Brazilian Dani Alves, led this list with a tie.
