Lionel Messi hugs David Beckham and his wife Victoria after exciting shootout victory over Nashville
- Beckham was overcome with joy after the penalty shootout win
- This is Inter Miami’s first cup win in the franchise’s five-year history
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Lionel Messi celebrated his first cup win with Inter Miami by embracing co-owner David Beckham and his wife Victoria in Nashville on Saturday night.
After an on-pitch clash with his Miami teammates, Messi found his way into the arms of an ecstatic Beckham, who could barely contain his joy.
Beckham, himself a former MLS star, was seen whispering in Messi’s ear before the Argentine legend shared a brief hug with Victoria. Beckham and his wife also shared their own on-field embrace, which came after five rough seasons in Miami as the club struggled to emerge from the MLS basement.
Messi was again the man of the match on Saturday. Not only did he score early in regulation, but he also converted the first shot to penalties as Inter defeated Miami Nashville SC 10–9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup Final.
Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami, converting in the 23rd minute.
Messi celebrated his first cup win with Miami by embracing team co-owner David Beckham
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, is hugged by wife Victoria in Nashville on Saturday
Co-owners Jorge Mas, David Beckham and Jose Mas celebrate after Inter Miami’s victory
The ball landed at Messi’s feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. 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.
Messi was not particularly influential before he scored the goal, with the crowd booing him every time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to last year’s World Cup title scored.
Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault’s header ricocheted off a corner off Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi and into goalkeeper Drake Callendar’s net.
Messi got a shot from within the area he had previously scored from in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the teams played within the rules to a 1–1 draw.
Lionel Messi is hoisted into the air by his Inter Miami teammates after winning the Leagues Cup
Inter Miami co-owners Jorge Mas, David Beckham and Jose Mas pose with the trophy
Miami striker Leonardo Campana had a chance to win the game in the last game under the rules, but his sliding shot at an open goal hit the post. Messi held his head in his hands as the ball trickled out of play.
Messi calmly converted the first shot into penalties as Miami claimed their first trophy.
Messi mania gripped Music City after Nashville SC progressed to the final against Miami FC on Tuesday with a win against Monterrey of the Mexican League. Ticket prices skyrocketed after they went on sale the next day, but dipped slightly in the days leading up to the game. The cheapest seats still cost several hundred dollars. A full house of 30,109 filled Geodis Park.
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon pulled out the game ball and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo fired on goal before the game. Both are minority owners of Nashville SC.