So that’s the Messi effect, the one that Paris Saint-Germain have been desperately waiting for for two seasons. It only took one month for Argentinian Lionel Messi to win a trophy with his new club Inter Miami. The Florida franchise won on Saturday August 19 in the final of the Leagues Cup, a competition bringing together the teams of the American and Mexican championships, beating the Nashville team, on their lawn, 10 shots on goal to 9 after a draw 1-1.
As with every game since joining the United States, Messi has scored at least one goal. It was he who opened the scoring with a masterful curling shot from the left in the middle of the skylight, in the first period (23rd). His hook-shot sequence recalled his finest hours in the FC Barcelona jersey.
This tenth goal of the Argentinian in seven games since his arrival in Miami was not enough to win in regulation time. Nashville equalized from a corner in the 56th minute thanks to a Fafa Picault header. Messi then found the post on another long shot, and thought the odds were against him when his team-mate Leonardo Campana also found the post in the dying seconds of the match after eliminating the opposing goalkeeper.
As in the round of 16, the Argentinian did not tremble in the penalty shootout by presenting himself first to strike and open the counter. But after a failure on each side, the series dragged on until the goalkeepers came to try their luck. Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender then turned into a savior by scoring his shot on goal, then repelling that of Elliot Panico, the Nashville goalkeeper.
Carried in triumph
Miami players could exult and carry in triumph Lionel Messi, the man who has changed everything for a month. Before the arrival of the Argentine world champion, Inter notably remained on eleven games without a win in the American championship, and played in near indifference. But since July 21 and Messi’s first appearance in the Miami pink jersey, madness has gripped the franchise co-owned by David Beckham.
For the final of this Leagues cup, ticket prices skyrocketed when they went on sale. The cheapest tickets cost several hundred dollars, which did not prevent a crowd of more than 30,000 people from filling the bays of Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, and witnessing the triumph of Messi.
The Argentine world champion thus won the 44th trophy of his career, overtaking his former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves, which makes him the most successful football player in history.
His 43rd title was the French championship with Paris Saint-Germain last May, but it is certain that it is not the one that moved him the most. At a press conference this week, the seven-time Ballon d’Or explained that his coming to the club in the French capital was against his will, and that his arrival in Miami was, on the contrary, an excellent decision. A new tackle from the Argentinian towards his former club.