What’s up next for Inter Miami and Messi in 2023
The Herons claimed their first silverware as a club ever with the Leagues Cup trophy and now have sights set on the US Open Cup.
Not even the likes of Inter Miami co-owners Jose and Jorge Mas could have dreamed that, within a month of arriving in Florida, Lionel Messi would led his new team to the first trophy in their history after Inter Miami lifted the Leagues Cup on Saturday evening after a thrilling penalty shoot out victory over Nashville SC.
Messi’s impact with Miami was immediate from the off, the Argentine came on as a second half substitute in his debut against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup group stage and in the final minute of the game delivered a trademark free kick to ensure an opening win for the Herons.
Since that July opener, Messi has found the target ten times for Inter Miami as they advanced to Saturday’s final. Despite the game against Nashville being Miami’s most lowkey in the journey to the final with tiredness all too apparent, the Argentine stepped up to the mark once again firing the Florida side ahead in the first half. The side from Tennessee were agruably the better team over the 90 minutes but lady luck smiled on the men in pink as they lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout.
The next possible silverware for Tata Martino’s men centres on the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the annual knockout competition which is governed by US Soccer. For the first time in their brief history (Inter Miami have only been playing in MLS since 2020), the Herons have reached the semifinal of the competition where they face FC Cincinnati next Wednesday. The winners of that clash will face Real Salt Lake or Houston Dynamo in the 27 September final.
Before Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami were on an eleven game
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