16 August 2023 , 14:15
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Lionel Messi is already showing Inter Miami why they made the right choice in making him captain.
After signing for the MLS side last month, Messi has made an incredible impact on the team since arriving - scoring nine goals in six games with the team being unbeaten. And while Miami's three new arrivals in Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have obviously all made big impressions on the team, other players around them have stepped up hugely too.
One of them, striker Josef Martinez, was traded to the side from Atlanta United earlier this year having been one of the league's best strikers over the last few seasons. While Martinez has impressed, he had struggled in recent weeks prior to Messi joining.
Messi had been scheduled to be the team's penalty taker, but to help him regain his confidence he has given the ball to Martinez for two penalties in recent games. Both have seen the striker find the back of the net.
Since then, Martinez looks back to his best. He's been firing on all cylinders and a perfect compliment for Messi with his lightning pace.
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In another incident in the game against Philadelphia Union, another teammate, Noah Allen, got into an altercation with Philadelphia Union's midfielder Jose Martinez. Again, Messi showed his leadership qualities with a furious response as he rushed over to defend his new teammate.
Messi defending his teammatesThe relief on Martinez' face has been clear to see in recent weeks, while Messi continues to dominate and galvanise his teammates in the process. Messi's goal in the win over the Union was a special one as he scored from long-rage - 36 yards out rifling the ball home.
This marked the farthest distance Messi has scored from in a club match since a 38.8-yard free-kick scored against Real Mallorca, 11 years ago.
Miami will now face Nashville SC in the final on Saturday evening, who defeated Monterrey 2-0 in the other semi-final. This will be the club’s first-ever cup final and the 42nd final of Messi’s legendary career.
The result also means Miami has qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup regional tournament next season.
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino said: "Our goal was to qualify for international competition next season and we've done that. Now we have to prepare to win this tournament, which has us feeling very motivated and confident.
"That has us highly motivated and confident, but we are not allowing that to distract us from what we need as a team to get better. We don’t confuse our success so far with realizing we still have a long way to go.”