Messi’s Herons career started versus Cruz Azul, against whom he scored a match-wining free kick in the first game of the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Eduardo LópezFmercu9Roddy ConsRoddyConsCiudad de MéxicoUpdate: Aug 18th, 2023 12:30 EDT
MIKE EHRMANNAFP
Lionel Messi’s time at Inter Miami has got off to the best possible start, with the Argentina captain having scored nine goals in six games to help his new team reach the final of the Leagues Cup, where they’ll play fellow MLS side Nashville SC. The 36-year-old old faced Liga MX club Cruz Azul in his very first appearance for The Herons and has been complimentary about the standard of Mexican opposition he has competed against throughout his career.
Watch Nashville SC vs Inter Miami Leagues Cup final live stream on AppleTV (free trial available)
Lionel MessiInter Miami CFdelanteroArgentinaNewsStatistics
Messi: Liga MX “very competitive” and “of a very high standard”
“I’ve come up against several Mexican teams, who are of a very high standard. The Mexican league is very competitive and there are great Mexican players worldwide, not just in Mexico. Mexican teams have shown that they are competing at a very high level nowadays”, Messi said ahead of the Leagues Cup final at Geodis Park. On his debut against La Máquina, the former Barcelona playmaker scored the winning goal with a superb free-kick in injury time.
Por la Primera 🏆We’re headed to Nashville this Saturday to face Nashville SC for the @leaguescup finals! Vamos 💗🖤 pic.twitter.com/2gFcWjRSCr
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 16, 2023
Inter Miami star ready to add a new trophy to his list of honours
“Things have gone the way they have but we need to keep growing and not be satisfied with what we’ve already achieved, we have to aim for more”, added the Argentine, who can add a new trophy to his incredible list of honours on Saturday.
How many trophies has Messi won?
There is some debate as to whether or not Messi will become the most successful player of all time if Inter Miami win. “La Pulga” is either one behind or level with former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves, who has 43 major honours to his name, depending on whether you count the Catalans’ 2005 Super Cup victory: the attacker wasn’t called upon for either leg of the final having been in and out of the first team as a youngster.
The clash between Messi’s Miami and Nashville will take place at Geodis Park in Tennessee, the home of the Boys In Gold. Kick-off is on Saturday 19 August at 9:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. PT.
The road to the @LeaguesCup Final is paved with Gold and Pink. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/oBhpk5Q0l6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 18, 2023
Inter Miami CFEstados UnidosNewsStatistics
