Lionel Messi becomes the most decorated player in football history as Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup win marks his 44th career title
Lionel Messi becomes the most decorated player in football history as Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup victory marks his 44th career title
Lionel Messi became the most decorated player in football history on Saturday after winning the Inter Miami Leagues Cup.
By taking the lead in the MLS side’s quest for its first-ever trophy, the World Cup winner made his own history.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner took the 44th title in a glittering career that spanned from 2004 to 2023.
The Leagues Cup is his first trophy on American soil, coming just over a month after his arrival in South Florida.
It joins a nearly overflowing trophy cabinet that includes 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League wins, seven Copa Del Reys, eight Spanish Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, the FIFA World Cup, the Finalissima , the Copa America, an Olympic gold, a U20 World Cup, two Ligue 1 titles and a Trophée de Champions.
Lionel Messi became the most decorated player in football history on Saturday
The World Cup winner led Inter Miami’s run to its first-ever piece of silverware
With the new piece of silverware, he breaks the deadlock with former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves, who had won 43 trophies during his career.
Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot to penalties as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night.
Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami, converting in the 23rd minute.
The ball landed at Messi’s feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked.
With the new silverware, he breaks the deadlock with former teammate Dani Alves
Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the box into the top left corner of the goal. Diving goalkeeper Elliot Panicco got the ball without a chance.
Nashville fans had jeered Messi at his earlier touches of the ball, but the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.
Messi had a shot from a similar position in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Messi calmly converted the first shot into penalties as Miami claimed its first trophy – and its 44th.