Seattle Sounder coach confident ahead of Leagues up final clash with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, says 'We've got good players too'

Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer has praised Lionel Messi as the best player ever ahead of the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami. The MLS Western Conference side will lock horns against the Herons at the Lumen Field on Sunday, August 31.

All eyes are on the Florida-based side ahead of the match, thanks to the presence of Lionel Messi in their squad. He has been in red-hot form since arriving at the Chase Stadium and famously won the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami in 2023.

However, it is hardly going to be the Lionel Messi show at Lumen Field this weekend, given that the Sounders enjoy an enviable fan following. Unlike Inter Miami, the Western Conference club has rarely invested in ageing stars.

Speaking recently, as cited by Sl, Schmezer said that the Seattle Sounders also have some great players in their squad.

"Messi is arguably the best player the world has ever seen, but we have Paul Rothrock, and we have Jackson Ragen, and we have Snyder Brunell and Andrew Thomas, we’ve got good players too. [Luis] Suárez is not going to run by anybody because Yeimar is faster," said Schmetzer.

How many titles has Lionel Messi won with Inter Miami to date?

Lionel Messi is the most decorated footballer in the world with 46 trophies under his belt so far, including two won with Inter Miami. The Argentine legend moved to the Chase Stadium in the Summer of 2023 after the expiry of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Messi helped the Herons lift the League Cup upon his arrival. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner won the Supporters Shield last season after powering the Florida-based side to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference table.

Sadly, Messi failed to win the MLS Cup last year with Inter Miami. Messi continued his red-hot form with Inter Miami this season, and has scored 25 goals and set up 11 more from just 32 games across all competitions.