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Inter Miami witnessed a monumental victory in the Leagues Cup final, elevating Lionel Messi to the status of the most decorated footballer in major team honours, a title previously held by his ex-Barcelona teammate, Dani Alves.
After joining Inter Miami this summer, Messi's phenomenal influence on the team was palpable, particularly in the recent final. The illustrious seven-time Ballon D'or recipient began with an iconic 20-yard goal. However, the lead was equalized in the second half by Fafa Picault.
With both teams locked in a draw post the regulation 90 minutes, a nerve-wracking penalty shootout ensued. The first to rise to the occasion was Messi, seamlessly slotting in his shot. Following him, Hany Mukhtar evened the score for Nashville. Sergio Busquets reclaimed the lead for Inter, which was fortified after a missed attempt by Randall Leal.
Both teams displayed nerve and precision during the subsequent penalty kicks, but a miss by Victor Ulloa allowed Nashville a fighting chance. After a series of alternating penalties, Elliot Panicco's missed shot finally handed the title to Tato Martino's Inter Miami.
This triumphant win marked Messi's 44th career honour, edging past Alves, who held 43. The enthusiasm of the 36-year-old World Cup champion was evident when he shared his joy on Instagram, stating: "CHAMPIONS!!! Very happy to get the first title in this club's history. Everyone's hard work and commitment made it possible. Hopefully this is just the beginning... Let's go."
David Beckham, the club owner, didn't hold back his admiration for Messi and the team. Reflecting on their performances, he commented, "People keep saying it looks like a movie - every time Leo scores one of these goals, Busi makes one of these passes, Jordi makes one of these runs." He continued, "People say 'is it a fix?' and it is the biggest compliment you can give these players because it is like a movie. You watch them play and it is emotional. Everything about their play is beautiful."
As Messi adds another accolade to his legendary career, football enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await more magic from the maestro in the coming seasons.
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Magical Lionel Messi once again! Argentinean star takes Inter Miami to first-ever trophy, wins his 44th title, the most for a footballer
