Club co-owner David Beckham affirmed that Inter Miami has improved constantly, even almost turning a new page in history with the Leagues Cup championship thanks to the great work of Lionel Messi.
On the evening of August 19, Inter Miami played the final against Nashville. Messi continued to shine, scoring a masterpiece to cut the left foot to open the score. Despite being tied 1-1 in 90 minutes, he and his teammates still won 10-9 in the penalty shootout to win the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Beckham admitted he felt nervous when watching the 11m kick series – which lasted 11 turns, forcing the two goalkeepers to directly perform. “It’s not easy watching a game end like that,” the former England player said in the tunnel at Geodis Park. “Nashville fights hard, but this is Inter Miami’s night.”
Beckham with the trio of Messi – Busquets – Alba and Leagues Cup – the first title in the history of Inter Miami. Photo: Actu Foot / AFP
Beckham (right) with the trio of Messi – Busquets – Alba (second from right) and the Leagues Cup – the first title in Inter Miami’s history. Photo: Actu Foot / AFP
Beckham then praised the new arrivals this summer, Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba: “It’s like a movie, every time Messi scores, Busquets passes the ball or Alba runs. People say it like programmed, and that’s the biggest tribute to these players. You watch them play and you get emotional. Everything about their style of play is stunning.”
Inter Miami was founded in 2018. Two years later, they joined the MLS, finishing in 19th, 20th and sixth place respectively for three seasons. Currently, Beckham’s team is at the bottom of the table after 22 matches in the 2023 season, including five wins, three draws and 14 losses. Before signing with Messi, Inter Miami went 11 matches without winning.
But with the presence of the Argentine superstar, the team won all seven matches on the way to winning the Leagues Cup. Messi personally contributed 10 goals. “A lot can happen in five weeks,” admitted Beckham. “Inter Miami is life changing, with so many new things. We will enjoy this win and look to the future and continue to grow. We have the best players in the world and a lot of academy players. potential and that’s very important. This is an emotional moment and a long journey for me.”
Messi hugs Beckham after winning the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.
While waiting to receive the Cup, Messi surprised when he removed the captain’s armband and handed it back to defender DeAndre Yedlin. At the award ceremony, he also called Yedlin to bring the Cup together to where his teammates were waiting. Yedlin is a 30-year-old right-back, joined Miami in February 2022 and was soon given the captain’s armband. But when Messi arrived, he had to cede the role of captain to the 36-year-old superstar.
Yedlin said he was surprised by Messi’s actions, and affirmed that it was the senior who helped Inter Miami improve their mentality to always enter the match with a winning mentality. “I can’t say that’s been the goal of the team every single game before,” he said. “This is Messi’s seventh game with Inter Miami. It’s unbelievable that I can lift the title with Messi, and that says it all about his character.”
Messi invited the former captain of Inter Miami to lift the cup.
With Inter Miami winning Nashville in the Leagues Cup final, Messi won 44 titles, surpassing former teammate Dani Alves to become the player who won the most collective titles in football history. He soon had the opportunity to increase the record, when playing with Inter Miami in the semifinal of the US Open 2023 against Cincinnati in Ohio at 6 am on 24/8, Hanoi time. If they reach the final, they will face Houston Dynamo or Real Salt Lake.
