Lionel Messi overcame initial fears following his return from injury to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Orlando City, securing their spot in the Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders. Messi scored twice in the match. Inter Miami assistant head coach, Javier Morales, praised Messi as the best in history. The final is scheduled for next Sunday at Lumen Field.
Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentinian forward, revealed a sense of apprehension as he made his return to the pitch following a recent injury layoff. Despite the lingering concerns, Messi played a pivotal role in Inter Miami's compelling 3-1 victory over Orlando City, securing their place in the Leagues Cup final.
The match saw Messi score twice, effectively overturning a one-goal deficit from the first half. Telasco Segovia then sealed the victory with a third goal in injury time. Inter Miami's triumph has set the stage for an exciting final against the Seattle Sounders, scheduled for Sunday. The Herons, fueled by Messi's brilliance, are aiming for their second Leagues Cup title, adding to their 2023 victory.
Messi, a serial winner with an astounding 46 major trophies already under his belt, is now on the verge of securing his 47th. His impact since joining Inter Miami has been nothing short of transformative, both on and off the field. In the current MLS season, Messi has already scored 19 goals, placing him just one goal behind Sam Surridge in the scoring charts, a remarkable feat considering he has played nine fewer games. His presence has not only elevated the team's performance but also brought a renewed sense of excitement and optimism to the entire franchise.
Reflecting on his return from injury, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted to experiencing some fear. "I wanted to play," Messi explained in a post-match interview. "Ever since I came back against the [LA] Galaxy, I felt discomfort there and didn’t feel comfortable. I prepared myself to play this game because I knew how important it was. The opponent, it’s a difficult opponent that had beaten us twice this season. Honestly, in the first half, I felt a little scared. But in the second half, I loosened up a bit."
Inter Miami's assistant head coach, Javier Morales, was effusive in his praise of Messi, stating that he was "at a loss for words" to describe the player's performance. Morales, filling in for the suspended Javier Mascherano, went on to label Messi as the best player in the history of the sport. Morales stated, “We are at a loss for words when it comes to discussing Leo. He trained only two or three days and then [Wednesday] he played 90 minutes and the way he played, created situations, scoring goals. There is nothing more to say. For us, and for the fans, it’s a privilege to have him on our team. We are always excited to win and now we have an opportunity to take home a trophy. There’s nothing more to say. Everyone knows what he is. He’s the best in history.”
Sergio Busquets, Messi’s teammate, echoed the sentiment of growth and progress within the team. He expressed optimism for the future, stating, "We’re trying to help the club grow. I think the best is ahead of us, and that’s it. The team is growing. Little by little, we’re getting to know each other better. We know what we want and how solid we can be. Hopefully, we can win another title."
Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders secured their place in the Leagues Cup final with a 2-0 victory over LA Galaxy. Pedro de la Vega scored early in the game, followed by Osaze De Rosario in the second half. Seattle's owner, Adrian Hanauer, acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We’re going to have to limit their star players to half chances if that’s possible. We’ll obviously have to keep some possession, as we don’t want to have to chase the ball for 90 minutes, and we’ll have to create some chances against them. We’ll start working on that on the flight back, for the players we are going to let them enjoy this moment.”
The highly anticipated final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Messi's presence adding an extra layer of excitement. The match is scheduled to take place at Lumen Field next Sunday.
#LeaguesCup2025 Final is set
An epic clash between @SoundersFC and @InterMiamiCF awaits
Nos vemos el próximo domingo en Lumen Field pic.twitter.com/oNrfsiyZ44
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 28, 2025