Barsa trio happy as last-place Miami wins League Cup

Lionel Messi, 36, the "God of Soccer," led the way in a movie-like victory. Handsome owner David Beckham, 48, was thrilled.

Messi's team, Inter Miami, drew 1-1 with Nashville SC in the 2023 League Cup final at Geordie's Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday (June 20). The Red Bulls won 10-9 in penalty kicks to advance to the championship match. Messi scored 10 goals in the tournament, including a seven-game goal streak, and was named the tournament's top scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP). The League Cup features professional teams from North and Central America, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Messi's performance was crucial. He opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Picking up the ball near the penalty arc, Messi used a brilliant individual effort to create space to shoot despite heavy pressure from the opposition. He then unleashed a spectacular left-footed shot that rattled the net. Messi's play continued. Miami conceded the equalizer 12 minutes into the second half. The game went to extra time and then penalty kicks. Messi stepped up to take the first kick and converted cleanly. The soccer stats site Footmob gave Messi a favorable rating of 7.9.

Miami's win was a major upset. Founded in 2018, Miami is considered a classic underdog. They finished last in the Eastern Conference 15 in the regular season and won the League Cup with Messi at the helm. Throughout the tournament, they took down some big names. Their quarterfinal opponent, the Philadelphia Union, is third in the East, and their final opponent, Nashville, is fourth in the East. However, Miami upset the odds and emerged as the eventual winner. In doing so, the Heat made history by winning their first championship in franchise history.

Messi's arrival transformed the team within a month. And it wasn't just on the field. Miami originally had a thin fan base and wasn't as popular 토토 as other teams. But after Messi's arrival, they became the most popular team in the United States. They can't even sell Messi jerseys. "We're sold out of Messi jerseys," Antrupnauer said last month. They won't be back on sale until November." Messi's signing also brought world-class Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to Miami.

Beckham was also surprised. According to Eurosport, Beckham said, "Whenever Messi scores a goal like this, whenever Busquets makes a pass, whenever Alba breaks through, people say, 'Is it a movie?' That's the biggest compliment you can give these players," he said, adding, "When I watch them play, I'm moved. Every play is beautiful."

"The team is growing by leaps and bounds, and we're very happy," said Busquets, who is also taking on a new challenge in Miami with Messi. We are building a very good team, and we have Messi. He makes a difference because he is the best in the world."

"Messi left PSG to join Miami in the summer transfer window. He swept the competition, starring in every game until the final."